Parenteral amino acid and energy administration to premature infants in early life

• Published in: Seminars in fetal & neonatal medicine Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 11 - 18
• Main Authors: te Braake, F.W.J, van den Akker, C.H.P, Riedijk, M.A, van Goudoever, J.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2007
• Subjects: Amino acids; Amino Acids, Essential - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins; Humans; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Intensive care units, neonatal; Metabolism; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Nutritional Requirements; Parenteral Nutrition; Amino acids; Parenteral nutrition; Infant, premature; Metabolism; Intensive care units, neonatal
• ISSN: 1744-165X; 1878-0946
• DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2006.10.002

Summary After birth, the nutritional supply through the umbilical cord ceases. Premature infants do not immediately tolerate full enteral feedings, yet they retain high nutritional needs for both growth and metabolic maintenance. Parenteral nutrition should therefore be initiated as quickly as possible after premature birth, thereby reducing the dependence on endogenous substrates. Intrauterine studies show very high amino acid uptake, clearly exceeding accretion rates. Studies covering the early neonatal period demonstrate that the initiation of high-dose amino acid administration directly after birth is safe and effective, even at low energy intakes. Future research should reveal whether usage could be improved through better amino acid solutions or by providing more energy via lipids from birth onwards as well.