Deck 7: Nutrition for Premature Infants

Question 1

An infant born at 27 weeks gestation with a birth weight of 550 grams plots below the tenth centile. What would be the birth classification and the weight classification?

Answer 1

The infant's birth classification would be SGA or small for gestational age. The weight classification would be ELBW or extremely low birth weight.

Question 2

A preterm infant is at increased nutrition risk due to what factors?

Answer 2

A preterm infant is at increased nutritional risk due to immature physiological systems, decreased nutrient stores, rapid growth, cold stress and illness.

Question 3

Improved glucose tolerance, positive nitrogen balance and normal plasma amino acids levels are associated with the early administration of which component of parenteral nutrition?

Answer 3

Improved glucose tolerance, positive nitrogen balance and normal amino acids levels will occur by administration of amino acid solution within the first 24 hours of life.

Question 4

Fluid management is individualized and assessed daily. What factors influence decisions regarding fluid management?

Question 5

Which type of lipid emulsion is approved by the FDA for use with neonates?

Question 6

For preterm infants, a pediatric amino acid solution is used for parenteral nutrition. What are the benefits of the pediatric solution?

Question 7

Why is cysteine added to pediatric amino acid solutions?

Question 8

Why are the slow advance of enteral feeds and a standardized feeding schedule implemented?

Question 9

List the benefits of human milk to preterm infants.

Question 10

Identify two strategies for increasing the supply of mother's milk.

Question 11

Which infants should receive supplemental iron and what is the goal for supplementation?

Question 12

Metabolic bone disease is common among infants receiving feeds of unfortified human milk. What other factors contribute to metabolic bone disease?

Question 13

Routine evaluation of gastric residuals has not proven to be a reliable predictor of necrotizing enterocolitis. What symptoms require examination and evaluation by the practitioner?

Question 14

With appropriate nutrient intake, what would be expected weight gain and gains in length and head circumference?

Question 15

At discharge, the infant will be fed human milk, preterm discharge formula or a combination of these two. What other nutrients should be assessed for supplementation at discharge?