Post-discharge nutrition and the VLBW infant: To supplement or not supplement?: a review of the current evidence.

Due to advancements in neonatology, the survival of very-low-birth-weight infants, especially extremely low-birth-weight infants continues to rise. The goal of nutrition in these preterm infants is to match the intrauterine growth curves of the normally growing fetus. Despite this recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, neonatologists struggle daily to meet this goal, and as a result, postnatal growth failure and restriction are common. This article reviews post-discharge nutrition in the VLBW population, examining different types of post-discharge nutrition, current evidence, and future and remaining questions. In addition, recommendations are provided for post-discharge nutrition in this population.