| Abstract: |
Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health problem. Compared to normal weight infants, LBW is positively associated with infant mortality and negatively associated with normative childhood cognitive and physical development.In developing countries, approximately 70% of LBW infants have IUGR, while in developed countries 30% of LBW infants have IUGR. Infants with IUGR have greater morbidity & mortality than appropriate for gestational age.Early enteral feedings promote the normal processes of the gut as a physical, mechanical, physiologic, and immunologic barrier.Feeding by the enteral route is more physiologic than that by the parenteral route and consequently has fewer short-term and long-term complications. In addition, it is a less expensive option, easier to manage and it initiates the activity of non-luminal neuronal and hormonal factors, which stimulate the bowel. Inability of LBW infants to ingest, digest, absorb, or propulse nutrients indicates parenteral nutrition. Before nutritional supplementation of any kind the nutritional status, the patient should be assessed, the goals defined, and the risks and benefits explained to the parents.Preterm breast (PT) milk differs from term breast milk in containing many anti-infective properties, more protein with predominant whey, more lipids with predominant long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and higher content of total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, energy, sodium, chloride, calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, vitamin C and IgA particularly in early lactation. Major CHO is lactose, which is more easily absorbed by the preterm baby.Very-low-birth-weight infants fed human milk have slower growth rates and inadequate nutrient and protein intakes to meet their needs. Additionally.
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