Nutritional follow-up of the breastfeeding premature infant after hospital discharge.

摘要

In summary, fortification of human milk may be beneficial in preterm infants, particularly those born at less than 34 weeks' gestation or less than 1800 g birth weight, during and after initial hospitalization. This fortification after hospital discharge is more crucial for infants who cannot consume ad libitum quantities of breast milk, have poor growth, or have abnormalities in the biochemical screen of nutritional status. Although data indicate that in-hospital, short-term gains in growth and mineral status are achieved, information is fragmentary regarding the influence on long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of feeding supplemented human milk. Also, no data are available on outcomes when providing these mixtures to premature infants after hospital discharge. It is recommended that a nutritional survey be accomplished before and approximately 1 month after discharge and that fortification or supplementation be initiated if an infant is failing to achieve normal growth and biochemical measures of nutrition.