Nutrition Protocol and Premature Infants' Growth

Impact of Introducing a Standardized Nutrition Protocol on Very Premature Infants' Growth and Morbidity

Nutrition is a major issue for premature infants. Inappropriate nutritional intake during the first weeks of life is responsible for postnatal growth restriction and adverse long-term outcomes.

This study aimed at evaluating the impact of the introduction of an updated, standardized, nutrition protocol on very premature infants' growth and morbidity, and the care givers' compliance to the new protocol.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All surviving infants born between 26 and 32 weeks gestation in our Level III NICU

Exclusion Criteria:

• Death
• Any congenital malformation