Footnotes

• Contributors Both authors contributed to writing of the article and reviewing the relevant literature. NDE will act as guarantor for the paper.

• Competing interests Dr Embleton declares that in the last 3 years he has received speakers honoraria from Fresenius-Kabi who make parenteral nutrition products and has also received research funding from manufacturers of infant milk formula and other products. Dr. Van den Akker declares that in the last 3 years he has received speakers honoraria from Baxter who make parenteral nutrition products and speakers honoraria from manufacturers of infant milk formula. Both are members of ESPGHAN and have been involved in co-authoring nutrition guidelines.

• Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.