[Weight gain in the first 2 months of life in neonates with a birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g. A comparison between parenteral nutrition and orogastric feeding].

This study was designed to verify the effectiveness of parenteral nutrition (NP) and continuous nasogastric feeding (AOG) in providing a good caloric intake and a good growth in the very low birth weight infants during the first 60 days of life. The study included 108 preterm babies with birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g: 26 received parenteral nutrition, 82 nasogastric feeding. Infants in NP showed a smaller postnatal weight loss and regained birth weight earlier than the AOG group. Caloric intake greater than 120 kcal/kg/die was achieved in 10.2 days of life in the NP group and in 14.1 days in the AOG group. Full enteral feeding was achieved later in the NP than in the AOG group (25.7 days vs 20.7 days). Weight gain at 60 days of life was better in the NP group (23.2 g/die vs 18.2 g/die), while there was no difference in the head circumference gain. The study shows the efficacy of NP in providing a good caloric intake in the very low birth weight infants in the first weeks of life.