Protein and Energy Requirements of Term and Preterm Infants

Little new evidence has been presented to warrant altering protein and energy requirements of term infants. Breast milk remains the benchmark. Feeding preterm infants, however, presents multiple challenges only now beginning to be faced. In the past, respiratory distress and infections were such emergencies that little attention was given to nutritional needs. While optimal rates of growth are not even now known, nor even measurements to tell what is "optimum", at least the requirements for certain growth rates which are not accompanied by undue stress can be met by pre-term fresh breast milk and specially designed formulas.