Malnutrition in the premature infant.

During the first few days of life, the ill premature infant is usually subjected to acute semistarvation because the provision of nutritional support is considered cumbersome and unnecessary. However, the absence of readily recognizable adverse effects of semistarvation does not rule out the existence of significant short-term adverse effects, nor does it rule out possible adverse sequelae in the long run. Similar concerns pertain to the later neonatal period, during which nutritional deprivation is less severe but of longer duration. Evidence is presented that qualitative malnutrition, characterized by inadequate intake of protein and relatively excessive intake of energy, is common with current feeding regimens and is responsible for increased body fat deposition in growing small premature infants.