Background: Nutritional support is critical for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A nutritional support team (NST) that focuses on providing optimal nutrition care could be helpful. We conducted an evaluation about clinical and nutritional outcomes in a tertiary NICU following the intervention of an NST.

Patient and method: This study used prospective approach, Preterm neonates’ 32 weeks gestational age or weighing 1500 g were enrolled. Clinical and nutritional outcomes were compared between two groups that were used different practice in nutrition. Medical records were reviewed, and clinical and nutritional outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results: In total, 50 patients from the group with NST and 50 patients from the group without NST were enrolled. The cumulative energy delivery during the first week of life increased from 256.6 kcal / kg in the group without NST to 657.7 kcal /kg in the group with NST. The cumulative protein, lipid and carbohydrate deliveries also significantly increased. The time required to reach full enteral feedings decreased in group with NST Changes of Z-score in weight from admission to discharge exhibited more favorable results in group with NST and the length of NICU stay significantly decreased in the group with NST

Conclusion: NST intervention in the NICU resulted in significant improvements in the provision of nutrition to preterm infants in the first week of life. There were also favorable clinical outcomes, such as increased weight gain and reduced length of NICU stay.