Commonly referred to as trimesters, the stages of pregnancy help define a baby's growth and development before birth. In a similar manner, life after birth contains various stages of growth and maturity, starting with the neonatal stage. Very young babies have specific nutritional requirements. Neonatal vitamins can help ensure adequate levels of certain nutrients during in the first stage of life outside the uterus.
Neonatal Stage
The neonatal stage commonly refers to the first four weeks of a baby's life. During this time, the newborn, often called a neonate, undergoes many developmental changes. This can be a risky period for some infants, especially premature infants and infants who suffer from medical conditions. Neonatal vitamins are supplemental vitamins given during this early stage of life.
Nutrition
Babies get their early nutrition through the umbilical cord. The mother's diet and health affect the baby prior to birth. After birth, a newborn gets nutrition from food in the form of fluids, normally mother's milk or formula. These products contain various nutrients, including minerals and essential vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, E and B complex.
Considerations
While many babies receive adequate amounts of nutrients through their diet, some require additional supplementation. Babies of malnourished mothers, including those in some undeveloped countries, might require neonatal supplements. Some premature babies may also require additional nutrients from vitamin supplements.
Vitamin Supplements
Hospitals often give newborns vitamin K supplements before they leave the hospital because some newborns have difficulty producing this vitamin in their digestive tracts. Certain supplements such as vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, can help treat newborn health conditions such as neonatal jaundice. Vitamin supplementation during this early stage of life might require the use of intramuscular injections, intravenous fluids or oral drops. These preparations might contain saline solution to help transport the vitamin, or flavoring to make the oral dose more pleasant. Unlike many adult vitamin supplements, neonatal vitamins usually contain a single type of vitamin rather than combinations of vitamins and minerals.
Purpose
Some types of neonatal vitamins can help guard against the risk of nutritional deficiencies early in life. According to the National Institutes of Health, obese women might be more likely to deliver newborn babies with vitamin D deficiency. Treating this type of deficiency with neonatal vitamins might help ensure adequate levels of nutrients during this early phase of life. Supplementing traditional phototherapy with appropriate doses of riboflavin might help in the treatment of neonatal jaundice.
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