Significance of Proper Nutritional Care:

Nutrition and Diet

A proper nutritional care is significant to achieve a healthy growth and development. As premature infants are not able to complete the gestational period inside the womb, they are prone to nutrient deficiency. That is why nutrient needs for premature infants need to be given utmost importance.

So, in this page of the blog, our consultant nutritionist Dhanalakshmi Umachandran will be discussing the nutritional needs of premature babies and their moms too. So, let’s hear it from her.

Hi, I am Dhanalakshmi Umachandran, Nutritionist, and an expert in Diet consultation for various health conditions like Weight management, Diabetes, PCOS, Pregnancy, Lactation, Child Nutrition, Heart ailments, Cholesterol, Blood pressure and other health issues.

Before starting with nutrition, let us understand what is prematurity. Prematurity is often discussed with respect to birth weight and gestational age.

 Pre-mature infants have poor nutrient storage. They have high nutritional demands for optimal growth, resistance to infection, and optimal neurologic and cognitive development.

Parenteral feeding: (Intravenous feeding)

Initially, there are difficulties in feeding the infant as the cognitive development like sucking, swallowing, etc are not well developed. So, parenteral feeding is given. This parenteral nutrition should provide the recommended nutrients and fluids until eternal nutrition is started.

Let’s see the major nutrients required for preterm babies.

Energy: More energy is required in preterm and LBW infants due to a higher metabolic rate and high growth rate.

Protein: Preterm and LBW babies have increased protein requirements as there is a higher protein turnover and synthesis. The more immature the infants, the more the protein needs.

Fats:Fats are important in the early days of life as it is needed for infant development and long-term health. It is most important for the development of the Central Nervous System, retina and other neural tissues.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are one of the major sources of energy required for the child’s activity, growth and development.

Fluid: The fluid requirement is carefully calculated from 60 to 180 ml/ kg based on the infant’s weight.

Other essential nutrients: Minerals like calcium and phosphorus are very essential for bone mineralization and skeletal development.

Iron and folic acid are essential for the blood and circulatory system. Vitamins like Vitamin A, B, and C are essential for various other functions. All the above essential nutrients are calculated according to the baby’s weight and requirement and fed intravenously. Once the baby has developed sucking and swallowing reflux, oral feeding is started gradually. Stay tuned to know more about the feeding practices and nutrient needs for preterm babies.

With an intention to help moms of preterm babies, in this blog... Regards Dhanalakshmi Umachandran