Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition for the Small Baby

Optimal nutrition strategies are essential in the care of the preterm neonate to support optimal outcomes. The preterm neonate is initially dependent on the parenteral route for nutrition paired with an early start to enteral nutrition. This presentation discusses strategies to optimize specific components of parenteral and enteral nutrition to provide for appropriate growth.

Objectives:

  • Describe one evidence-based parenteral nutrition intervention to prevent post-natal growth failure/malnutrition.
  • Identify one benefit provided by newer lipid emulsions to the premature infant.
  • Describe one evidence-based enteral nutrition intervention to prevent post-natal growth failure/malnutrition.
  • Name one component in maternal breast milk that helps to facilitate growth.
  • Identify one common nutrient deficiency in the maternal diet that results in low levels in maternal breast milk.

Total CE: 1.5

NCC Codes: NNP 3 or 7

NCC Codes: NIC 1 or 7

NCC Codes: LRN 2 or 4 or 7

Rx = 0.7

*This presentation was included in the Small Baby Care Specialist® Program

Last updated: November, 2021


Your Instructor


Gina O'Toole
Gina O'Toole

Gina O’Toole is a Clinical/Neonatal Dietitian at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange, California. She received her B.S. from Seattle Pacific University in Exercise Science and Physical Education and went on to receive her Master’s in Public Health and Nutrition from Loma Linda University. She completed her internship at Loma Linda University Medical Center and CHOC Children’s Hospital. After obtaining her RD, Gina accepted a position as a Dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She has continued her profession in the NICU, focusing her efforts on the care of the premature infant, the surgical neonate and the importance of breast milk for the high-risk infant. Gina has developed care and nutritional guidelines for the infant with short bowel syndrome and has started a multi-disciplinary team focused on the care of short bowel patients. She is involved in the Vermont Oxford Network and is actively involved in quality improvement in the NICU. At CHOC Children’s, she also acts as a preceptor for the RD residency program and RD interns as well as provides education to the medical and nursing residents. Gina currently resides in Huntington Beach with her husband Kevin and daughters Lola (4) and Brooklyn (2), where they love to garden, hike and go to the beach.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts as soon as you enroll. You will have access to this course (videos) for two months. Please be sure to download lecture handouts for ongoing access to the content presented. You must complete and submit the Evaluation at the end of the course to receive CE.
How can I communicate any questions, comments, or feedback?
We would love to hear from you. Please e-mail us at: [email protected]

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