Guidelines for enteral nutrition in infants born preterm: 2023 update by the Portuguese Neonatal Society. Part I. Nutrient requirements and enteral feeding approach during the hospital stay

Abstract

Recent evidence-based data motivated this update of the Portuguese Neonatal Society guidelines for the enteral nutrition of infants born preterm. The purpose of this document is to support the clinical practice and was mainly oriented by the updated European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) 2022 position paper, the World Health Organization recommendations 2022, and other reference articles, particularly systematic reviews. These guidelines are published in two parts. Part I addresses the nutrient requirements and the enteral feeding approach during the hospital stay, including optimization of the mother's own milk feeding and methods for enteral feeding. Part II is directed to particularities of enteral feeding in specific clinical conditions, and feeding after discharge, including breastmilk fortification at home and introduction of complementary feeding.

Implementing guidelines for enteral nutrition of preterm neonates during intensive care and in later infancy

“…The Portuguese guidelines for enteral nutrition in preterm neonates reported in this issue 5,6 are a fundamental element to enable such improvement. Used in conjunction with the previously published guidelines for parenteral nutrition 7,8 , and standardized postnatal growth monitoring 9,10 , these recommendations should allow for improved nutritional status during the acute stage of postnatal transition, as well as the convalescent stages preceding discharge from NICU. The guidelines underscore the importance of mother's own milk (MOM) as the optimal base for infant feeding, including preterm infants.…”