Post-Hospital Discharge Nutrition for the Preterm Infant
摘要
This review focuses on presenting updated, evidence-based practices for monitoring the nutrition and growth of former preterm infants after hospital discharge. It outlines strategies to ensure optimal nutrition and growth for these infants in outpatient follow-up. It emphasizes the importance of growth during the first year after birth through and following discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and its influence on long-term health outcomes. Additionally, it provides evidence-based nutritional practices aimed at promoting healthy growth in former preterm infants during their first year after birth.
Recent FindingsRecent research on preterm infant growth highlights the importance of early fluid and nutritional management due to association with adverse outcomes. While many preterm infants exhibit growth faltering, especially at NICU discharge, most achieve catch-up growth by 2–3 years after birth with appropriate nutritional support. Among growth parameters, head circumference has shown the strongest and most consistent association with long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Additionally, concern exists that accelerated catch-up growth may elevate the risk of later obesity and metabolic disease. Post-discharge nutritional interventions should be individualized, and current options include supplemental nutrient-enriched formula and human milk fortification.
SummaryCurrent recommendations for post-hospital discharge nutrition emphasize individualized nutritional care, proportional growth, and consistent longitudinal monitoring to optimize long-term outcomes in this high-risk population.