https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/Clinical research on nutrition, growth, and body composition of premature babies, led by a multidisciplinary team at the UAB Women & Infants Center in Birmingham, Alabama.en-ushttps://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/protein-the-gut-microbiome-and-growth-in-preterm-infants/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/protein-the-gut-microbiome-and-growth-in-preterm-infants/Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Our new study published in The Journal of Nutrition explores how protein supplementation may interact with the developing gut microbiome and body composition of extremely preterm infants.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/feeding-the-smallest-patients-what%E2%80%99s-changed%E2%80%94and-what-hasn%E2%80%99t/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/feeding-the-smallest-patients-what%E2%80%99s-changed%E2%80%94and-what-hasn%E2%80%99t/Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000Despite major advances in neonatal intensive care, one critical question remains unsettled: are we feeding preterm infants based on the best available evidence—or on outdated habits?https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/early-enteral-nutrition-is-linked-to-sepsis-prevention/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/early-enteral-nutrition-is-linked-to-sepsis-prevention/Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000Infants born extremely preterm (between 23 and 28 weeks of gestation) face a complex journey in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), especially during the first two weeks of life when critical illness is often most severe.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/does-more-early-human-milk-change-the-preterm-gut-microbiome/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/does-more-early-human-milk-change-the-preterm-gut-microbiome/Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000For very preterm infants, early nutrition is more than calories—it may help shape lifelong health. Human milk is known to protect against infections, improve growth, and shorten hospital stays.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/how-placental-inflammation-shapes-infant-body-fat-accumulation/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/how-placental-inflammation-shapes-infant-body-fat-accumulation/Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000Histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA), an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the fetus, is a well-known risk factor for preterm birth and adverse neonatal outcomes.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/finding-balance-rethinking-growth-goals-for-preterm-infants/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/finding-balance-rethinking-growth-goals-for-preterm-infants/Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000For decades, doctors caring for very preterm babies have wrestled with a tough question: What does “good growth” really look like outside the womb?https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/extra-protein-for-preemies-boosts-nicu-growth-but-does-it-last/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/extra-protein-for-preemies-boosts-nicu-growth-but-does-it-last/Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000When it comes to extremely preterm (EPT) infants born between 25 and 28 weeks of gestation, nutrition is more than a growth issue; it’s a survival strategy.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/new-rct-analysis-links-early-fortification-to-less-severe-bpd/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/new-rct-analysis-links-early-fortification-to-less-severe-bpd/Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000In the world of neonatal intensive care, every milliliter of milk and every calorie counts—especially for extremely preterm (EPT) infants born before 28 weeks of gestation.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/can-early-vitamin-d-supplementation-help-preemies-breathe-easier/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/can-early-vitamin-d-supplementation-help-preemies-breathe-easier/Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000For babies born extremely early—before 28 weeks of pregnancy—every drop of nutrition counts. Their underdeveloped lungs, fragile bones, and increased risk for complications make early life a high-stakes balancing act in neonatal…https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/can-fortifying-breast-milk-early-help-preterm-babies-grow-better/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/can-fortifying-breast-milk-early-help-preterm-babies-grow-better/Mon, 19 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000When babies are born too early, giving them the right nutrition is critical — but experts still debate the best time to add extra nutrients (called "fortification") to breast milk.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/the-role-of-early-enteral-protein-intake-in-lean-mass-accretion/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/the-role-of-early-enteral-protein-intake-in-lean-mass-accretion/Sat, 11 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000The first two weeks after birth are a critical period for preterm infants, marked by rapid changes and nutritional challenges.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/the-importance-of-monitoring-length-and-head-growth/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/the-importance-of-monitoring-length-and-head-growth/Tue, 03 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000A new study proposes a game-changing approach to improving cognitive outcomes in extremely preterm infants.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/unraveling-the-mystery-do-rbc-transfusions-trigger-nec-in-elbwi/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/unraveling-the-mystery-do-rbc-transfusions-trigger-nec-in-elbwi/Fri, 03 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000In the intricate world of neonatal care, one of the most dreaded complications is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/our-journey-investigating-early-exclusive-enteral-nutrition/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/our-journey-investigating-early-exclusive-enteral-nutrition/Sat, 23 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000In our exploration of feeding protocols for preterm infants, we've noticed a stark difference between high-income countries (HICs) and their low- and middle-income counterparts (LMICs).https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/new-clinical-trial-of-early-human-milk-fortification/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/new-clinical-trial-of-early-human-milk-fortification/Tue, 08 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000In the pursuit of addressing cumulative protein and energy deficits seen in extremely preterm infants when unfortified human milk is provided during the initial two postnatal weeks, the exploration of fortified human milk as an…https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/2023-pas-presentations/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/2023-pas-presentations/Mon, 03 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000The neonatal nutrition research group at UAB is excited to announce its upcoming research presentations at the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, which will take place from April 28 to May 1, 2023.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/enriching-experiences-at-the-2023-sspr-meeting/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/enriching-experiences-at-the-2023-sspr-meeting/Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000Our neonatal nutrition research team broadened their knowledge, expanded their network, and engaged with others in their field at the Southern Society for Pediatric Research Meeting this year.https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/secondary-analysis-reveals-additional-benefits-of-early-feeding/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/secondary-analysis-reveals-additional-benefits-of-early-feeding/Wed, 07 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000In a brief report of randomized data published in Neonatology, our research group determined that total fluid administration in ml/kg/day was lower during the first week after birth in extremely preterm infants (28 weeks of…https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/uab-completes-patient-enrollment-for-enact/https://neonatalnutritionresearch.com/f/uab-completes-patient-enrollment-for-enact/Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:00:00 +0000A total of 102 premature infants born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation were randomized to receive either higher volume enteral feeds (60-80 ml/ kg/day) or typical enteral nutrition (20-30 ml/kg/day) within the first 36 hours…