Neurodevelopmental and Growth Outcomes of Early, Aggressive Protein Intake in Very Low Birthweight Infants

The purpose of this study is to determine whether providing increased protein to premature infants in the first week of life allows for better growth during the hospital stay and improved developmental outcomes by age 2.

Inclusion Criteria:

• birth weight 400 to 1250 grams
• 24 0/7 to 30 6/7 weeks gestational age

Exclusion Criteria:

• chromosomal, structural, metabolic, endocrine, or renal abnormalities that could affect growth
• infants >18 hours of age
• infants in extremis who are unlikely to survive past 72 hours