Abstract:To compare the effect of different nutritional support programs on very low birth weight infant (VLBWI). Methods Forty-five very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) received early positive nutritional support between March 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled into early group, and 40 VLBWI received conventional conservative delayed nutritional support between January 2013 and February 2014 were selected as delayed group. The clinical data, incidences of complications and laboratory test results were compared between the two groups. Results The weight loss after birth was less, the recovery time of body weight, the time of weight reaching 2000 g, the duration of intravenous nutrition and the hospital stay were significantly shorter in the early group compared to the delayed group; and the average growth rate of weight after recovery of birth weight and the total calories on the 7th d in the early group were significantly higher than those in the delayed group (p < 0.05).There was no azotemia, phlebitis or thrombosis in any case. The incidences of feeding intolerance (FI) and extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) in the early group were significantly lower than those in the delayed group (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, cholestasis or necrotizingenterocolitis between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum total bilirubin,conjugated bilirubin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen or alanine transaminase between the two groups (p >0.05). Conclusions For VLBWI, early positive nutritional support could significantly promote the growth and development, reduce the risk of FI and EUGR, hence it is safe, feasible and worth clinical application.