neonatal nutrition Flashcards
what is the main cause of death in infants?
prematurity
causes of prematurity: socio-economic factors
Low-income groups, close pregnancies, work related stress, age ,alcohol and drug abuse, smoking.
causes of prematurity: gynecological factors
Uterine anomalies , Incompetent or short cervix.
causes of prematurity: fetal factors
Congenital malformations, Intrauterine growth restriction.
causes of prematurity: complications during pregnancy
placenta previa, Pre-eclampsia, Infection.
can multiple pregnancies be a cause of prematurity?
yes
what are the characteristics put Hospitalized Infants at Highest Nutritional Risk:
< 1 week of age
➢ >15% weight loss from birth weight
➢ < 1kg at birth
what are the characteristics put Hospitalized Infants at Highest Nutritional Risk:
1-2 weeks of age
➢ <70 kcal/kg/d or any continued weight loss
what are the characteristics put Hospitalized Infants at Highest Nutritional Risk:
>2 weeks of age
➢ Intake < 80% of expected energy requirements
➢ < 15g/kg/d weight gain (<36 weeks GA)
➢ <1/2 expected weight gain (>36 weeks GA)
➢ Prealbumin < 8mg/dl or albumin <2.5g/dl
➢ BUN < 7mg/dl
➢ Serum phosphorus< 4mg/dl / Alkaline phosphatase >600mg/dl
what are the characteristics put Hospitalized Infants at Highest Nutritional Risk:
2 months of age
Same as >2weeks of age, plus:
➢ No source of dietary iron -
➢ Continued TPN
Which factors would put any infant (no matter the age) at a high risk of malnutrition
➢ Any infant with newly diagnosed NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis), BPD, osteopenia, cardiac disorders, neurologic problems, GI surgical anomalies or metabolic
aberrations.
➢ Any infant with birth weight <1.5kg(and current weight <2kg) on full feedings but not receiving fortified human milk or preterm formula.
what are the age cut-offs for baby, infant and child
newborn: 0-2 months
infant: 2 mo-1 year
baby: 1-4 yrs
what are nutritional goals for pre-terms
➢ provide nutrition to ensure the same rate of growth as it would have been achieved in the womb by a term baby
➢ To maintain normal concentrations of blood and tissue nutrients.
➢ To ensure individualized nutrition support adapted to ongoing medical complications.
Factors Affecting Nutritional Status of term-babies
- Immature systems
- Medical Co- morbidities
- Decreased nutrient Absorption
- Decreased nutrient reserves
relationship between size of the baby and nutrient reserves
the smaller the baby, the smaller the reserves
List Factors Affecting Nutritional Status
➢ Gastrointestinal Immaturity ➢ Thermoregulation ➢ GI and Respiration ➢ Respiration ➢ Medical Co-morbidities ➢ Decreased Absorption of Nutrients
How does Gastrointestinal Immaturity affect nutritional status
➢ Reduced gastric capacity,
decreased GI motility,
reduced gastric emptying,
decreased concentration of digestive enzymes,
inadequate LES closure, (inadequate LES closure= increased risk of reflux and regurgitation)
inadequate capacity to suck and swallow.
How does Thermoregulation affect nutritional status
Decreased fat reserves, unable to maintain body temperature.
How does GI and Respiration affect nutritional status
Poor suck, swallow and breathe coordination
How does Respiration affect nutritional status
Immature lungs, increased work of breathing.
How do Medical Co-morbidities affect nutritional status
➢ Medical Co-morbidities put bb in catabolic state, increasing nutrient reqs
Respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia, Hyperbilirubinemia, hemodynamic instability, risk of sepsis, etc.
How does Decreased Absorption of Nutrients affect nutritional status
decreased reserves + decreased absorption- >hard to meet nutrient needs
➢ decreased bile salts and pancreatic lipase
( < 32 weeks, only 65-75% of fat absorption)
➢ Lactose ( 26-34 weeks ,30% absorption)
➢ Protein ( 28-34 weeks, 70% absorption)
What are the units for nutrients in pre-term babies vs term
Pre-term: ml or kcal or g per kg/d
Term: ml or kcal or g per day
What are the recommendations for nutrients based on in pre-term babies vs term
Pre-term: Koletzko
Term: RDA/Ai
what physiological functions are supported manually in pre-term babies in the baby zone
temp, nutrition and respiration
why would maternal history be important in nutritional assessment of pre-term babies?
- diabetes in mom would explain LGA
- Meds: magnesium sulphate is given for preeclampsia for mom and for the neural system of the baby, but can affect GI motility
why would medication assessment be important in nutritional assessment of pre-term babies?
pressors in case of hemodynamic instability of the baby might cause hyperperfusion of the gut-> needs to be considered for feeding
which physical signs need to be assessed in pre-terms
length, head circumference, weight, plot on Fenton growth curve, SGA/AGA/LGA, IUGR
which GI signs need to be assessed in pre-terms
abdomen, meconium, bowel sounds
How to calculate Corrected Gestational Age (CGA)
Gestational age + (Chronological age÷ 7) = CGA
If an infant was born at gestation age of 24 weeks & 5 days and is at chronological age of 28 days , then the CGA is
24weeks 5days + (28 days ÷7) = 24 weeks 5days + (4 weeks) = 28 weeks 5days CGA
➢ Contraindication to Enteral Nutrition in pre-terms
➢Hemodynamic instability
➢GI anomalies (esophageal atresia) or improper anus development
➢ Bowel obstructions or ileus
➢ NEC
➢ Acute abdominal distension ➢Upper GI bleed
➢ Persistent vomiting
does NEC occur in first days of life
no
What is OIT?
When and how is it administered?
Oral immune therapy
Given if EN cannot be administered
➢ Oral care with colostrum to help stimulate the immune system via cytokines in milk that will be absorbed orally and stimulate oral immune system
➢ Safe to give even if contraindication to feed the gut
➢ 0.1ml q 4hrs between cheek and gums, not expected to reach the gut
putting colostrum between check and gums. As it is not gonna reach the gut-> safe for GI
Do we give TPN or CPN
TPN
Indications for TPN
➢ Functional immaturity of GI tract or gestational aka TPN is recommended for age (< 32 weeks or birth weight <1800g)
➢ Delayed initiation or advancement of enteral feeds.
➢ Syndromes or medications associated with impaired GI perfusion
➢ Congenital GI anomalies requiring surgical repair (gastroschisis, bowel obstruction, bowel atresia,etc)
➢ Impaired GI motility (ileus from sepsis or surgery, gastroschisis, Hirschsprung disease) in some conditions like sepsis, baby will be NPO at first and then PN
➢ Malabsorption syndromes (SBS, cystic fibrosis)
➢ Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)
what are the characteristics of the babies that will immediately be prescribed TPN
< 32weeks or birth weight <1800g
What are the syndromes or medications associated with impaired GI perfusion
Congenital heart disease(CHD), Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, hypotension, use of medications like ibuprofen)
all conditions that prevent sufficient oxygen delivery to the gut
are we hesitant about giving PN to babies
No
PN is required for most premature babies to make sure that there is sufficient energy and protein as commonly due to functional immaturity of GI, it is hard to start feeding via gut or with enough volume
Start as soon as the infant is born with at least a starter PN solution to help provide adequate calories and protein.
what is the usual diet prescription for babies with NEC?
with NEC baby is NPO for the first 7-10 days and then PN
PN: fluid intake reccs
initial 60-90ml/kg/d to 120-150ml/kg/d.
when exclusively PN: keep baby at 120-150ml/kg/day
when EN+PN, part of the fluid will be supplied by both of this methods
PN: amino acid intake reccs
start at 1.5-2 g/kg/d and advance by 1g/kg/d up to a goal 3.5-4g/kg/d.
before the recommendation was 4.5, but studies show that there is no benefit of going above 4
PN: dextorse intake reccs
can begin at 6-8g/kg/d and advance by 1.5- 3g/kg/d to a maximum of 14-18g/kg/d.
PN: lipid intake reccs
0.5-1g/kg/d and advance by 0.5-1g/kg/d to a maximum of 3-3.5g/kg/d.
do we prefer to send bb home with or w/o PO
W/o
is feeding or NPO associated with NEC
feeding
but the sooner u start feeding the gut, the better will the feeding tolerance be (lower NEC risk)
benefit of starting EN early
- Decreased risk of NEC
- Early feeding resulted in shorter duration of PN.
EN indications on premies
All infants unable to meet nutritional requirements orally:
➢Premature infants <34 weeks of GA
➢Transition from PN towards oral intake
➢Poor suck/swallow/breathe coordination (until they develop good coordination, they will remain on EN)
Trophic feed recommendations and benefits
➢ To begin as soon as clinically appropriate (10- 24ml/kg/d, smaller than in adults)
➢ Helps to stimulate GI motility, development of microbial flora, growth of microvilli.
➢ ↑Milk tolerance, ↑postnatal growth, ↓systemic sepsis, ↓length of stay.
What is the daily frequency of feed administration
Trophic feeds are usually given q 4h,i.e, 6 feeds in
24hrs
Calculation for Trophic Feeds
➢ BB boy born at gestational age of 25 weeks and birth weight of 650g. Infant with no contraindication to initiate enteral feeds. As per discussion with team, to start trophic feeds at 10ml/kg/d.
Calculate the prescription
➢ 0.650kg X 10ml/kg/d = 6.5ml/d
Trophic feeds are usually given q 4h,i.e, 6 feeds in 24hrs->
➢ 6.5ml/d ÷ 6 feeds/d = 1.0 ml q 4hrs
NJ/OJ tube vs Gastroduodenal/ gastrojejunal tube: when would either one be given?
NJ/OJ tube: when bb has high incidence of reflux
Gastroduodenal/ gastrojejunal tube: when EN is required for long periods or when bb has severe oral aversion
Enteral Nutrition Methodology: Bolus feeds
Bolus feed (q 2-3hr x 24hrs)