Issues in nutrient supplementation of breast-milk fed low birth weight infants.

Of the 20.6 million low birth weight (LBW) infants born every year, about 8 million are born in India1. Low birth weight is the most important risk factor for neonatal mortality, contributing to about three quarters of neonatal deaths in India2. In order to survive through infancy, LBW infants need additional care particularly with regard to breathing, temperature maintenance, feeding, hygiene and early recognition and treatment of infections. LBW infants are a heterogeneous group born too early, born too small, or both and the spectrum varies for developing and developed countries. In India, over two thirds of LBW infants are term.