Dr. Diane Anderson Neonatal Nutrition Virtual Conference

Nutrition plays a critical role in the growth, development, and long-term health outcomes of preterm and nutritionally complex infants. Evidence shows that inadequate nutrition during the neonatal period can result in persistent growth deficits and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Although professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) provide guidance aimed at achieving growth and nutrient accretion comparable to fetal development, many infants continue to experience growth failure. 

Nutritional management in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is complex due to altered physiology, evolving clinical conditions, and the influence of social determinants of health. Dietitians and other healthcare professionals must possess current knowledge and skills in parenteral and enteral nutrition, human milk utilization and fortification, management of intestinal failure and other complex conditions, growth assessment, malnutrition identification, and discharge nutrition planning. 

Targeted training opportunities, such as a neonatal nutrition practicum, can strengthen clinical competence, improve consistency of care, and support optimal short- and long-term outcomes for premature and medically complex infants.

• Increase knowledge base in performing a comprehensive nutrition assessment in neonates using clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, fluid and metabolic parameters, and nutritional data.
• Identify best practices for human milk feeding, including fortification strategies and donor milk utilization. 
• Develop and modify recipes for enteral nutrition regimens based on gestational age and clinical status. 
• Identify and manage unique nutritional requirements in neonatal nutrition-related conditions such as extreme prematurity, intestinal failure, cholestasis, renal disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and metabolic bone disease.
• Increase practical experience in collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary NICU and intestinal rehabilitation team to optimize nutrition care and improve patient outcomes. 
• Develop nutrition plans for preterm and medically complex infants post-discharge.

The practicum is intended for dietitians working in a neonatal intensive care setting, seeking to enhance foundational knowledge and skills in neonatal nutrition. Enrollment is limited to four dietitians per session to maximize participant interaction, engagement and learning effectiveness. 

This practicum will provide dietitians with the opportunity to visit our top-ranking Texas Children’s Hospital NICU, participate in multi-disciplinary team rounds, learn from experts in the field on various neonatal nutrition topics, and participate in small-group discussions with other participants and the Neonatal Nutrition Team at Texas Children’s Hospital. 

Participant learning will be evaluated through pre- and post-program questionnaires designed to assess knowledge of nutrition concepts discussed.

• There is no cost associated with the practicum itself.
• Flight and lodging accommodations must be arranged and funded by participants or sending institutions.