Nutritional Support for Moderate to Late Preterm Infants — A Randomized Trial

This randomized trial compared three interventions parenteral nutrition, milk supplement, and sensory exposure to milk taste/smell in moderate to late preterm infants (32–35 weeks' gestation) whose mothers intended to breast feed. None of the interventions showed significant effects on body composition at 4 months of corrected gestational age or on time to full enteral feeding. The findings suggest that enriched nutritional support provides no additional benefit over exclusive maternal milk and support efforts should focus on enhancing breast-milk provision.

This randomized trial compared three interventions parenteral nutrition, milk supplement, and sensory exposure to milk taste/smell in moderate to late preterm infants (32–35 weeks' gestation) whose mothers intended to breast feed. None of the interventions showed significant effects on body composition at 4 months of corrected gestational age or on time to full enteral feeding. The findings suggest that enriched nutritional support provides no additional benefit over exclusive maternal milk and support efforts should focus on enhancing breast-milk provision.