[Role of proteins in the feeding of low birth weight infants (author's transl)].

Role of proteins in the feeding of low birth weight newborns is reviewed. After studies carried on 71 l.b.w. newborns fed with formulas from 2.75 to 5.3 grs./Kg./day of protein, several conclusions are obtained: some amino-acids no essential "per se" might have to be considered as so in the neonatal period. Under 3 grs./Kg./day biochemical findings are similar to those under malnutrition with proteic and caloric deficit. Over 3.8 grs./Kg./day hypertyrosinemias are frequent. With this offer, aminoacid indexes seem to be satisfactory, transferryn values are normal, increase in plasma proteins is significative, and renal overdosage of solutes is not high.