The normal retinal development is interrupted by preterm birthand a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may develop as itsconsequence. ROP is characterised by aberrant vessel formationin the retina as a response to multiple risk factors influencing theprocess of retinal angiogenesis. Insulin-like growth factor I(IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play animportant role in the process of normal retinal vascularisation.Insufficient nutrition during the first 4 postnatal weeks results inlow serum levels of IGF-1, which is essential for correct retinalvessels formation, ensuring survival of the newly formedendothelial cells. Low IGF-1 level results in stop of angiogenesisin the retina, leaving it avascular and prompting the onset ofROP. Keeping the newborns in a positive energetic balance byproviding enough nutrients and energy has a beneficial impact ontheir growth, neurodevelopment and decreased incidence ofROP. The best way to achieve this is the early parenteralnutrition with the high content of nutrients combined with earlyenteral feeding by the own mother′s breast milk. Multiple studiesconfirmed the safety and efficacy of early aggressive nutrition butinformation about its long-term effects on the metabolism,growth and development is stil needed.
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