ArticleSystematic reviews2026
Effect of nutrient supplementation on somatic growth in very low birth weight infants: a protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Article in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimNo consensus exists on the ideal nutrition for preterm infants. This leads to significant practice variation. Fortification of expressed breast milk (EBM) and nutrient supplementation of the preterm infant's diet have become common practices to enhance growth. This systematic review aims to review the comparative effectiveness of oral macro- and micronutrient supplements in enhancing post-natal growth for preterm infants. Additionally, to identify critical gaps in the current recommendations for nutrient supplements.
methodsWe will conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). Websites and databases will be searched for randomised controlled trials and prospective observational studies investigating oral macro and micro-nutrient supplementation to improve in-hospital somatic growth for premature very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs, < 1500 g). Two review authors will assess full-text English publications between 2010-2024 for potentially relevant studies for inclusion, independently and in duplicate, utilising an eligibility form based on the inclusion criteria. The selection process will be demonstrated graphically utilising a PRISMA flow diagram. Details and characteristics of excluded studies will be provided. A network meta-analysis (NMA) will be done using a frequentist approach and multivariate meta-analysis. Random-effect models will be employed to estimate all relative treatment effects. Stata will be used for data analysis. All possible comparisons, containing the effect size and 95% CIs, will be reported in tabular form. If the assumptions that preserve the validity of the NMA are not met, a pairwise meta-analysis will be done. If the criteria for pair-wise meta-analysis are not met, only direct comparisons will be made, and a narrative description of the findings will be presented employing the synthesis without meta-analysis guidelines. The GRADE approach will be used to review the certainty of the evidence. For each comparison, the overall certainty of evidence for the primary outcomes will be evaluated. Estimates of the direct and/or indirect evidence of the NMA will be provided.
resultsThe NMA will generate comparative rankings of nutrient supplementation interventions and evaluate their effectiveness in improving in-hospital growth. Results will be presented as summary tables and SUCRA rankings.
conclusionThis NMA will provide evidence-based guidance on optimal nutrient supplementation strategies to enhance postnatal growth in VLBWIs, addressing a critical knowledge gap in neonatal nutrition practices. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This protocol has been registered with PROSPERO. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD420250650341.
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