%0 Journal Article
%T Guidelines for Feeding Very Low Birth Weight Infants
%A Sourabh Dutta
%A Balpreet Singh
%A Lorraine Chessell
%A Jennifer Wilson
%A Marianne Janes
%A Kimberley McDonald
%A Shaneela Shahid
%A Victoria A. Gardner
%A Aune Hjartarson
%A Margaret Purcha
%A Jennifer Watson
%A Chris de Boer
%A Barbara Gaal
%A Christoph Fusch
%J Nutrients
%P 423-442
%D 2015
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/nu7010423
%X Despite the fact that feeding a very low birth weight (VLBW) neonate is a fundamental and inevitable part of its management, this is a field which is beset with controversies. Optimal nutrition improves growth and neurological outcomes, and reduces the incidence of sepsis and possibly even retinopathy of prematurity. There is a great deal of heterogeneity of practice among neonatologists and pediatricians regarding feeding VLBW infants. A working group on feeding guidelines for VLBW infants was constituted in McMaster University, Canada. The group listed a number of important questions that had to be answered with respect to feeding VLBW infants, systematically reviewed the literature, critically appraised the level of evidence, and generated a comprehensive set of guidelines. These guidelines form the basis of this state-of-art review. The review touches upon trophic feeding, nutritional feeding, fortification, feeding in special circumstances, assessment of feed tolerance, and management of gastric residuals, gastro-esophageal reflux, and glycerin enemas.
%K feeding
%K very low birth weight
%K neonate
%K review
%U http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/1/423