OBJECTIVE To compare resting energy expenditure (REE) in small- and appropriate-for-gestational-age very low birth weight newborns after reaching corrected at-term age. METHODS Observational study that included all clinically stable very low birth weight newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The newborns were classified as small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA). Resting energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry when the newborns reached at-term age. RESULTS A total of 51 newborns, of which 23 were SGA and 28 AGA, were included. There was no statistically significant difference in REE between the two groups, although the observed levels were higher than the reference values. CONCLUSIONS There is no statistical difference in resting expenditure energy between SGA and AGA infants when they reached term. The higher energy expenditure found in both groups may be explained by other factors related to prematurity and its complications and requires further investigation.