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Human milk has been traditionally considered germ free, however, recent studies have shown that it represents a continuous supply of commensal and potentially probiotic bacteria to the infant gut. Mammary microbioma may exercise anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and metabolic properties. Moreover human milk may be a source of pathogenic microorganism during maternal infection, if contaminated during expression or in case of vaccination of the mother. The non-sterility of breast milk can, thus, be seen as a protective factor, or rarely, as a risk factor for the newborn.

Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) is defined as a rate of growth of a fetus that is less than normal for the growth potential of the fetus (for that particular gestational age). Small for Gestational Age (SGA) is defined infant born following IUGR, with a weight at birth below the 10th percentile.Suboptimal fetal growth occurring in IUGR fetuses is an important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The acute neonatal consequences of IUGR include metabolic and hematological disturbances, and disrupted thermoregulation; in addition, respiratory distress (RDS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may contribute to perinatal morbidity. Metabolic disturbances are related to glucose and fatty acid metabolism. It is well-known that individuals who display poor growth in utero are at significantly increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance (the so-called metabolic syndrome, MS). MS ultimately leads to the premature development of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, short stature in children and adults, premature adrenarche, and the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are endocrinological sequelae of IUGR. (8) Early onset growth delay and prematurity significantly increase the risk for neurological sequelae and motor and cognitive delay.Future prospective studies need to investigate risk factors for infants who are SGA. If reliable prediction can be achieved, there is potential to reduce future perinatal morbidity and mortality, and long term consequences among SGA babies.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Many innovation in neonatology have raised survival rates in the two past decades, but despite progress in neonatal intensive care, nutrition and growth of preterm infants are still critical points for neonatologists around the world and extrauterine growth restriction remains a common problem. Since growth is recognized as a major problem, in 2010, the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition published recommendations on enteral nutrition for preterm infants. The aim of this review is to revise nutritional needs of premature infants, taking into consideration the recommendations of ESPGHAN and the recent international literature.

Intrapartum chemoprophylaxis is currently the most effective preventive strategy against the neonatal early-onset group B streptococcal infection. The principal controversies on strategies for intrapartum antibiotic administration, possible adverse effects, management of newborn and possible future preventive strategies reported in the literature are considered.