Guidelines On Optimal Feeding Of Low Birth Weight Infants In Low And Middle Income Countries

The Department of Child and Adolescent Health has developed guidelines on optimal feeding of low birth weight infants in low- and middle-income countries. These guidelines include recommendations on what to feed low-birth weight infants, when to start feeding, how to feed, how often and how much to feed. The guidelines were developed using the process described in the WHO Handbook for Development of Guidelines. Systematic reviews were conducted to answer 18 priority questions identified by the guidelines development group. The population of interest is low-birth weight infants, and the critical outcomes include mortality, severe morbidity, growth and development. The implementation of these guidelines in low- and middle-income countries is expected to improve care and survival of low birth weight infants.

Presents country, regional and global estimates of low birthweight for 2000, together with a detailed description of the methodology used. Some limited data on trends are also included.

WHO and UNICEF jointly developed this global strategy to focus world attention on the impact that feeding practices have on the nutritional status, growth and development, health, and thus the very survival of infants and young children. The strategy is the result of a comprehensive two-year participatory process. It is based on the evidence of nutrition's significance in the early months and years of life, and of the crucial role that appropriate feeding practices play in achieving optimal health outcomes. The strategy is intended as a guide for action; it identifies interventions with a proven positive impact; it emphasizes providing mothers and families the support they need to carry out their crucial roles, and it explicitly defines the obligations and responsibilities in this regards of governments, international organizations, and other concerned parties.

Every year throughout the world, about four million babies die before they reach one month old, most during the critical first week of life. Most of these deaths are a result of the poor health and nutritional status of the mother, combined with problems such as tetanus or asphyxia, trauma, low birth weight, or preterm birth. However, many of the conditions which result in perinatal death are preventable or treatable without the need for expensive technology. Against this background, this publication contains guidance on evidence-based standards for high quality care provision during the newborn period, considering the needs of mother and baby. It has been produced to assist countries with limited resources to reduce neonatal mortality. The information is arranged under four main headings: clinical assessment, findings and management; principles of newborn baby care; procedures; record keeping and essential equipment, supplies and drugs.

Low birthweight, caused by premature birth, poor intrauterine growth, or both, is known to be a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality risks in the first year of life and beyond. It has to be born in mind, though, that premature infants may need different clinical and nutritional interventions and are at risk for different morbidities than those small for gestational age. This publication focuses on three main subjects: Global epidemiology, catch-up growth, and feeding practices. These topics have been selected to provide a solid contextual basis for the nature and extent of the problem, highlighting changes in prevalence and risk across different healthcare settings: The available data strongly suggest that growth outcomes are dependent on a multitude of environmental factors that interact with nutrient intakes. Epidemiology, modern technology and the latest science are brought together to promote a better understanding of the short- and long-term needs and outcomes of low-birthweight babies, depending on whether they are born too small or too early.

Improved conditions of care for premature infants have led to markedly increased survival rates over the last few decades, particularly in very low and extremely low birth weight infants. Nutritional measures play a central role in the long-term outcome, health, and quality of life of these premature infants. In this updated and extended edition, leading experts from all over the world present the most recent evidence and critical analyses of nutrient requirements and the practice of nutritional care (with the focus on very low birth weight infants) to provide guidance for clinical application. The chapters of this publication show how growth and development can be nutritionally supported, which nutrients and non-nutrients can be supplied, and how nutritional care can get implemented. Approaches to nutritional care in various disease conditions are also addressed. The compilation of current information and recommendations should support the daily work of health care professionals such as neonatologists, paediatricians, other physicians involved in the care of preterm infants, nurses, nutritionists/dieticians, and others. The current book is also of interest for researchers who wish to keep up to date in this moving field.