partial Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm and Newborn Infants during the First Three Days of Life

ABSTRACT. Eight preterm infants, five with postnatal as-phyxia, as well as two hypotrophic neonates and one term infant with severe postnatal asphyxia (mean birth weight.2300 g) were fed, in addition to oral nutrition, partially parenterally with glucose solution and mother's-milk-adapted amino acid solution during their first three days of life. By increasing protein supplies with a parented share of more than 50% during the three days, the nitrogen balances were positive on all days, although the calories supplied were far below the postulated optimum. On days 2 and 3, nitrogen retention was about 60 % of the supply. Every 4 hrs after discontinuation of the 16 hr amino acid infusion, the amino acid levels in the plasma were examined by column chromatography. The result-ing mean values did not show any imbalances of amino acid homeostasis. The maximum mean loss in weight of the presen