Nutritional Strategies for the Very Low Birthweight Infant

The goal of nutritional management in VLBW and ELBW infants is the achievement of postnatal growth at a rate that approximates the intrauterine growth of a normal fetus at the same postconceptional age. In reality, however, growth lags considerably after birth; although non-nutritional factors are involved, nutrient deficiencies are critical in explaining delayed growth.

The Encyclopedia of Foods : A Guide to Healthy Nutrition is a definitive resource for what to eat for maximum health as detailed by medical and nutritional experts.

Currently most published books on enteral nutrition support focus only on issues such as the rationale; specific nutrient requirements for various disease conditions; and practical approaches to the delivery, monitoring, and complications preventions while providing enteral nutrition support. None offer information relating to the developmental aspects of enteral foods, e.g. processing technology, types of ingredients, physicochemical and nutritional characteristics,shelf  life evaluations, etc. These aspects are critical because they affect the overall acceptability, tolerance, and effectiveness of enteral nutrition support.