Ernährung von sehr unreifen Frühgeborenen

Nutrition of very immature preterm infants is particularly challenging due to their rapid growth from 24 to 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and the associated increased nutrient requirements compared to full-term infants. Achieving growth rates of all organs and body compartments similar to those in utero is the goal; however, extrauterine growth retardation is a common problem in very preterm infants and probably associated with impaired neurocognitive development. This article provides an overview of various questions on optimal nutrition of preterm infants and the respective evidence is summarized. Although neonatal nutrition and postnatal growth have improved over the last decades, many practical aspects of the transition from initial (partial) parenteral to full enteral feeding and associated long-term effects remain unresolved. Therefore, further prospective studies are needed on various aspects of neonatal nutrition, especially with respect to the impact on the long-term outcome.