Neonatal diet and growth outcomes in hospitalised very preterm infants: an observational study in middle income countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Up-to-date data from middle-income countries are needed to inform in-hospital feeding practices among small, vulnerable newborns. We aimed to quantify growth indicators and their associations with in-hospital diet for infants born very preterm or with a very low birth weight (VLBW) of 401-1500 g in 12 middle income countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Methods

We performed an observational cohort study of infants born at 22-29 weeks' gestation or VLBW from 2018 to 2024 among Vermont Oxford Network member hospitals in 12 middle income countries. We used linear regression to estimate adjusted mean change in weight and head circumference (z-scores based on Fenton reference) from birth to hospital discharge by category of enteral diet at discharge/transfer (hu

SUBMITTER: Belfort MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12720493 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature