Protein-rich nutrition strengthens the smallest premature babies

Improved development of premature babies through protein-rich nutrition
Every year around 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide. The preterm infants, who usually have to stay in the hospital initially, often take poor body weight. This has consequences for later growth. Researchers have now found that a protein-rich diet is especially good for these babies.

Around 15 million premature babies per year
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Report on Preterm Birth 2012, around 15 million babies are born prematurely every year worldwide. Most of the preemies then come in their first weeks of life then in an incubator and can leave the hospital only after a long time. Scientific research has found that the so-called kangaroo method with a lot of body contact and breast milk has very positive effects on premature babies. The diet should be very rich in protein, as Austrian researchers now report.

A protein-rich diet can significantly improve the nutritional status, development and growth of premature babies. (Image: ondrooo / fotolia.com)

Bad weight gain in the hospital
"The smallest premature babies - weighing less than one kilogram birth weight - often show a poor weight gain during their long hospital stay, with consequences for later growth," says a statement from the Medical University of Vienna.

In a data analysis at the MedUni Vienna it could now be shown that a more "aggressive" diet - especially with more protein - significantly improved the nutritional status, the development and the growth of these little ones.

Fear of possible intestinal inflammation
"So far, one has been extremely cautious in the diet of these little premature babies, especially for fear of a possible intestinal inflammation," said Andreas Repa of MedUni Vienna.

"Our data analysis shows, however, that a new strategy, based on previous international studies, shows much better results."

The scientists published their findings in the journal "PeerJ".

Effects on height
According to the information, more protein was given via probe and infusion, plus vitamins, electrolytes, calcium and sugar. This closed the nutrient gap that results from early birth in the extremely immature premature babies, who were born about one kilo birthweight before the 28th week of pregnancy.

The data analysis showed that the children with a higher weight of about 2.5 kilograms (compared to an average of two kilos in the usual diet) were discharged from the clinic.

In addition, they put in the head circumference and in body size compared to other premature babies by one centimeter. This also had a longer-term effect on height.

Higher survival rates
It is said that every year around 200 children are being cared for at the Vienna University Children's Hospital, who are born before the 32nd week of pregnancy - 100 of them born between weeks 23 and 27, ie 17 weeks too early.

According to the University, survival rates among those born in the 23 and 24 weeks of pregnancy at the institution are more than 70 percent, compared to an average of 50 percent internationally. (Ad)