Long-term adverse outcomes of low birth weight, increased somatic growth rates, and alterations of body composition in the premature infant: review of the evidence.

In appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants, data are reviewed to support that both high and low nutrient intakes, as well as fast or slow rates of growth in the neonatal intensive care unit, have long-term adverse (or even positive) effects on body weight and the metabolic syndrome later in life. Though more studies are needed, it is concluded that it is likely that any such effects will be relatively small compared with other risk factors such as parental weight and various lifestyle factors. At the present time, there is little evidence that negates the goal of maximizing nutritional support for the very low birth weight infant in the neonatal period.