Early full enteral feeding for preterm or low birth weight infants

Abstract

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: We aim to assess the benefits and harms of early full enteral nutrition versus progressive introduction of enteral feeds in preterm or low birth weight (LBW) infants. Where data are available, we will undertake subgroup analyses of very preterm or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (versus infants born after a longer gestation or with higher birth weight), infants who are 'small for gestational age' at birth (versus those deemed 'appropriate for gestation'), infants fed with human milk only (versus formula‐fed infants), and trials set in low‐ or middle‐income countries (versus high‐income countries).