Premature infant feeding
Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm and according to the World Health Organisation, this number is rising. Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death globally among children under five years of age and three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented with current, cost-effective interventions.
A premature baby is one born alive before 37 weeks. of pregnancy. The sub-categories of preterm birth are based on gestational age:
- extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks)
- very preterm (28 to 32 weeks)
- moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks)
NICE Guideline (NG154)
Neonatal parenteral nutrition
Preterm infant feeding
by Jaqui Lowden, specialist in clinical paediatrics