Key nutrients and growth factors for the neonatal gastrointestinal tract

Gastrointestinal function has a significant impact on the nutritional support and clinical management of the neonatal infant. Nutrition has a major influence on neonatal gastrointestinal growth and function, particularly with respect to the modality, quantity, and composition of nutrition. This article provides a critical review of the nutritional and hormonal factors that affect gut growth and development with an emphasis on their physiologic relevance and therapeutic action in neonates.