Preterm nutrition and the lung

Abstract

Experimental and clinical evidence show that fetal and neonatal nutrition and metabolism can markedly modulate pulmonary growth, development, and function, as well as long-term lung health and disease risks. Intrauterine growth restriction has been linked to an increased risk for respiratory distress syndrome and chronic lung disease, while excessive fetal growth reduced forced expiratory volume. Postnatal undernutrition adversely affected pulmonary function in animal models and was associated to a higher risk of chronic lung disease in very low birth weight infants. The supply of specific nutrients to very low birth weight infants, including fluids, protein, carbohydrates, inositol, docosahexaenoic acid, calcium, phosphorus and the vitamins A and E has been associated with lung development and function and deserves further evaluation. In infants with evolving or established chronic lung disease, excess fluid administration and high intravenous glucose infusion rates should be avoided and the provision of vitamin A be considered. Opportunities exist for further research relating to neonatal nutrition and lung health, for example exploring optimal strategies and effects of providing vitamin A, docosahexaenoic acid and intravenous lipid emulsions.