Ricerc@Sapienza

The study will evaluate, for the first time, the relation between early nutrition, metabolic complications, morbidity and neurodevelopment over the course of the first two years of life in preterm infants (PT). Nutrition in early life has the potential to influence clinical outcomes and neurodevelopment. Recent guidelines recommend an increase caloric and proteic intake for PT neonates, similar to that received by fetus during intrauterine life. However, if this nutritional approach may improves post-natal growth, the consequences on morbidity and neurodevelopment remain largely undefined. Recent studies suggest an increased number of metabolic complication associated with implementation of recent guidelines on early nutrition in PT. Cester & colleague demonstrated a similar neurological outcome in PT infant and fed at different quote of caloric and protein intakes in the first days of life.
In this study, we aim to investigate if caloric and protein intake in the first days of life may has an impact on the occurrence of neonatal morbidities and on neurodevelopment until 24 months of life. We will enroll preterm newborns with birth weight The results of this study allow possible new insight that may open new perspectives in prevention and intervention of the most serious conditions that significantly affect survival probability and long-term outcomes of preterm neonates.