Nutritional Supplements to Improve Outcomes in Preterm Neonates

• Authors: Mohan Pammi, Texas Children's Hospital Houston; Ravi Patel, Emory University
• Journal Title: Clinics in Perinatology
• Volume: Volume 49, Number 2
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2022-06-01, Pages 485-502
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2022.02.012
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Immunity; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Neonate; Nutrition; Preterm; Dietary Supplements; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Sepsis

Abstract

Preterm infants are at higher risk of mortality and morbidity compared with those born at term. Nutrition-related morbidities include poor growth, immune deficiency, nutritional deficiencies, and adverse long-term neurodevelopment. In addition to macronutrients, many nutritional supplements have been used to enhance growth and development, and decrease infections. Nutrients can enhance preterm infants' immune status, optimize the microbiome, improve growth and development, and influence the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and other outcomes.