Early protein intake influences neonatal brain measurements in preterms: an observational study
Introduction: To limit extrauterine growth restriction, recent guidelines on nutrition of preterm neonates recommended high protein intake since the first day of life (DOL). The impact of this nutritional strategy on the brain is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effects of protein intake on early cerebral growth in very low birth weight newborns. Materials and Methods: We performed serial cranial ultrasound (cUS) scans at 3-7 DOL and at 28 DOL in very low birth weight newborns consecutively observed in the neonatal intensive care unit.