Improving Clinical Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants by Early Standardized Nutritional Management

摘要

Background. Optimal nutrition for very low birth weight (VLBW, Objective. The purpose of this study was to conduct a quality improvement project evaluating growth and clinical outcomes after implementing standardized enteral feeding guidelines for preterm infants. Methods. Evidence based clinical practice feeding guidelines were developed and implemented for VLBW infants in NICU. Primary outcome measures were (1) the rate of early initiation of enteral feeds ( Results. Pre and post-implementation cohorts consisted of 121 and 114 VLBW infants respectively. Standardized guidelines resulted in early initiation of enteral feeds by day 5 (OR = 3.57; p 20gm/day during hospital stay (OR= 1.89; p 2 mg/dl) (p Conclusions. Consistent and standardized approach to early nutrition in VLBW infants results in improved growth and clinical outcomes with less duration of TPN and decreased rate of cholestasis.