Actual and Prescribed Energy and Protein Intakes for Very Low Birth Weight Infants: An Observational Study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine (1) whether prescribed and actual energy and protein intakes during the first two weeks of life met Ziegler’s estimated requirements for Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants, (2) if actual energy during the first week of life correlated with time to regain birth weight and reach full enteral nutrition (EN) defined as 100 kcal/kg/day, (3) if growth velocity from time to reach full EN to 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) met Ziegler’s estimated fetal growth velocity, and lastly (4) to examine growth outcomes at 36 weeks PMA. Study design: Observational study of feeding, early nutrition and growth of 40 VLBW infants <30 weeks GA at birth in three tertiary care newborn intensive care units NICUs).