Approach to enteral nutrition in premature infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

After birth,premature infants have greater nutritional needs,because of decreased intrauterine nutrient deposition,immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract (GI),and medical conditions such as hypoxia,acidosis and surgery.In order to reach the optimal growth rate,continual reassessment and delivery of adequate energy and nutritional support are imperative.We suggest initiating enteral feeding in the first few days after birth to prime the GI in the premature infant,and then gradually achieve full enteral feedings when clinical condition is stable.Many signs may suggest feeding intolerance.Clinicians should composite these factors to determine.The use of drugs such as erythromycin to treat feeding intolerance in premature infants needs to be clarified.