Growth and feeding outcomes during the first weeks of life were prospectively evaluated in 207 critically ill, very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight less than 1,500 gm). Maximal weight loss occurrd by day 9, averaging 13 percent of birth weight, while birth weight was regained by day 18. Energy intake during initial weight gain (19 gm. per day) averaged 100 kcal per kilogram. Feeding and growth outcome were highly correlated (p of less than 0.001) with severity of illness but were not significantly related to sex, birth weight, or appropriateness of weight for gestational age.