Feeding strategies in the ELBW infant.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a common emergency that carries high morbidity and mortality for extremely low birth weight infants. To date there have been no multicenter randomized controlled trials to evaluate different feeding strategies and NEC. Clinicians must weigh their experience against small amounts of data in deciding the best way to feed their patients. Currently published feeding protocols and evidence for the same will be reviewed. Also reviewed is the evidence for use of human milk, initiation and advancement of feedings, and the use of probiotics.