Nitrogen and fat balance of premature infants in the 1st days of life

: Significant nitrogen imbalance was recorded in the presence of satisfactory fat retention in premature infants during the first days of life. It is suggested that along with the biochemically immature processes of protein assimilation aggravated by the perinatal pathology protein deficiency plays an important role in the nitrogen imbalance in the premature infants. To prevent the above disorders the authors recommend that the premature infants be given minimum 1.8-2 g protein/kg bw; long-term milk infusions through a naso-gastric tube could be helpful in this case.