Pre-term Nutrition

A consequence of prematurity is impaired neurodevelopment, as preterm infants miss an important period of brain growth that would have occurred in utero. The most important objective of nutritional management of the preterm infant is the prevention of growth failure in order to protect the infant’s brain. Breast milk is the best for preterm infant nutrition, it has been shown to confer improved short- and long-term outcomes such as lower rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and neurodevelopmental advantages. More recently, research has demonstrated an association between increased nutrients such as protein and energy and positive developmental outcomes.

Two large prospective cohort studies from Shanghai, China showed that the risk of type 2 diabetes was higher among both men and women of low birthweight later in life, with a trend toward increased risk of hypertension as well.

Increasing omega‐3 intake during pregnancy, either through supplements or in foods, may reduce the incidence of pre-term births and the likelihood of having a baby with a low birthweight, according to a new Cochrane Review.