Enteral feeding of the very low birth weight infant

Abstract

Enteral nutrition is the natural way of feeding infants. The fetus receives enteral nutrition via the amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid is largely composed of fetal urine, but lung fluids, nasopharyngeal secretions and intra- and trans-membranous fluids contribute as well. Amniotic fluid contains protein and carbohydrates. The amino acid concentrations of amniotic fluid resemble the fetal plasma amino acid concentrations. The fetus starts to swallow considerable amount of amniotic fluid in the last trimester. By term, the fetus swallows about 700 mL per day, corresponding with 170–230 mL/kg/d [1]. It is estimated that up to 10–15% of the nitrogenous requirement of the fetus can be met by swallowing amniotic fluid [2].