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 The
Front Line
Neonatal
nutrition: the importance of training
by
Diane M. Anderson, PhD, RD, CSP, FADA
Optimal
management of high-risk neonates must include appropriate
nutritional support to achieve the best physical growth and developmental
outcome. To achieve this, a trained, multidisciplinary nutrition
team is necessary. The Neonatology Section, Baylor College of
Medicine, has established a national Neonatal Nutrition Training
Center, which is supported in part by the Department of Health
and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration,
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Project #7-T79MC00023-01). The
goals of the Center are to improve the nutritional management
of high-risk infants in the hospital and community settings and
to prepare health care professionals to become leaders in maternal
and child health nutrition. Three programs are offered at the
Center.
1.
Annual Neonatal Nutrition Conference: for physicians, dietitians,
nurses, and other health care professionals working with high-risk
infants. This program, held in March, provides state-of-the-art
information on nutrition management of the premature infant including
their specific nutrient requirements, optimal parenteral and enteral
nutritional support with particular emphasis on the use of human
milk, breastfeeding, and nutritional management related to disease.
2.
A one-week Neonatal Nutrition Update Practicum: for dietitians/nutritionists
employed in newborn care intensive care units (NICUs) or working
in the community with infant graduates from a NICU. This program
is held 3 times during the fall and is limited to 4 participants
per session to facilitate interaction. Topics discussed during
the week, including reference texts and articles, relate to the
nutrition support of premature infants and ill, term neonates.
3.
A three-month Neonatal Nutrition Fellowship: for registered
dietitians to develop expertise in nutritional management of infants
in the NICU and post discharge. Fellowships begin in January and
April each year and are limited to 2 participants per session.
Fellows may be employed in a NICU or be seeking employment to
work with high-risk neonates. The fellowship provides a basic
block of nutrition information of neonatal nutrition principles
and clinical applications. The program consists of assigned readings
with discussions and completion of case studies, special projects,
and in-service education presentations. Clinical work is performed
in the hospital, clinic, and home settings. Fellowship graduates
have obtained employment as neonatal nutritionists, pediatric
nutritionists, pediatric nutrition researchers, faculty members,
and public health nutritionists.
All
programs are evaluated by participants, and that aids in planning
future sessions. One positive attribute of the programs that is
always noted is networking with others from across the nation.
For the new neonatal nutritionist, these training opportunities
provide a foundation of knowledge and skills to effectively administer
nutrition care and the development of self-efficacy.
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