Care of the growth-restricted newborn

Bianca Carducci, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

With the first 1,000 days of life proving to be a critical window of opportunity for physical and cognitive growth and development, an optimal intrauterine environment is vital. If fetus needs are compromised prenatally, there is an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and infants being born premature, low birth weight (LBW), or small-for-gestational age (SGA). Specialized care of these high-risk infants is necessary in terms of preconception interventions, resuscitation, thermoregulation, nutritional support and kangaroo mother care. Significant evidence supports exclusive breastfeeding as the standard of care for feeding SGA, preterm, LBW and very low birth weight infants. Expressed milk or donor milk may also require fortification, to meet higher nutrient needs of these newborns. Future research should address the gap in the literature on specific care of term and preterm IUGR and or SGA infants, and strengthening evidence for human milk bank models and emollient care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-116
Number of pages14
JournalBest Practice and Research in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume49
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Breastfeeding
  • Intrauterine growth restriction
  • Kangaroo Mother Care
  • Perinatal Care
  • Small-for-gestational age

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