Summary

The clinical management of preterm infants has improved dramatically over the last decade and survival rates increased, especially for infants born with very low birth weights. These preterm infants accumulate significant nutrient deficit in the first weeks of life which make them more vulnerable to growth failure and consequent impaired neurodevelopment in this phase of rapid physical and particularly cerebral growth. Virgilio Carnielle discusses in his presentation the impact of feeding tolerance and sickness on nutrition optimization and consequently growth and development of preterm infants.