Utilizing preterm infant body composition assessments to guide neonatal nutrition.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The use of body composition to assess the quality of infant growth may add valuable information to pediatric clinical care. Preterm infants have differences in their fat and muscle mass development compared with infants born at term, which may be related to their early nutritional exposures. This review focuses on recent studies examining early nutrition in preterm infants and related body composition outcomes in the newborn period and beyond.

Recent findings: Overall, the evidence shows that early nutrient delivery in parenteral nutrition and through formula supplementation or human milk fortification is associated with increased fat-free mass or lean mass in early life. However, future research is needed to fully understand the link between these body composition changes and longitudinal outcomes in preterm infants.

Summary: Inclusion of body composition assessments in preterm infant nutrition research is critical to understand the factors associated with differences in adiposity and lean mass development in preterm infants. Medical fragility in preterm infants limits the routine use of body composition assessment tools which are currently validated, and additional studies are needed to thoroughly assess other methods which may be more feasible to integrate into bedside routine.