Neonatology

Neonatal Nutrition Practicum:
From Theory to Practice

This program is designed for dietitians who are new to the neonatal setting. Enrollment is limited to four dietitians for each one-week practicum, held bi-annually. The next available session is April 22-26, 2013. The program includes on-site experience in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU) and the clinical nutrition department at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Participants interact with CHOP staff including neonatal dietitians, neonatologists, surgeons, speech therapists and lactation consultants during lectures and daily multidisciplinary care rounds.

Program objectives

Participants will:

Complete nutrition assessments and incorporate a nutrition plan of care for preterm and at-risk infants. This will include enteral and parenteral nutrition support; acid-base balance; nutrition care specific to patient diagnosis, including, but not limited to:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Chronic lung disease
- Osteopenia of prematurity
- Short bowel syndrome
- Abdominal wall defects
Increase knowledge base regarding historic and current research recommendations related to nutrition care of preterm infants
Be able to accurately calculate actual intake and formulate nutrition care recommendations

Practicum highlights

Nutrition assessment of the neonate

Measurement techniques and growth charts; energy, nutrient and fluid requirements; physiological, developmental and nutritional implications associated with prematurity

Parenteral nutrition in the neonate

Macronutrient, micronutrient and electrolyte provision; central versus peripheral access routes, laboratory monitoring; potential medical and surgical complications; and current research recommendations

Enteral nutrition in the neonate

Access sites; contraindications to enteral feeding; and feeding selections/indications, such as breast milk, donor breast milk, breast milk fortification and infant formula selection
Volume initiation, advancement and goals; intake and nutrient calculations; formula fortification and recipes; formula preparation guidelines for healthcare facilities; and monitoring of enteral intake tolerance

Disease management of the high-risk neonate

Respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, cholestasis, patent ductus arteriosis, necrotizing enterocolitis, osteopenia of prematurity, gastrointestinal anomalies and other anomalies with nutrition implications

Pharmacology

Drug-nutrient interactions and medications commonly used in the NIICU.

Continuing education accreditation

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) accredited provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered Dietitians will receive 26 continuing professional education credits (CPEUs) for completion of this program.

Application process and deadlines

Upcoming session dates and application deadlines
April 22-26, 2013	Feb. 4, 2013
Nov. 4-8, 2013	Aug. 19, 2013
April 28-May 2, 2014	Feb. 7, 2014
Nov. 3-7, 2014	Aug. 18, 2014
April 27-May 1, 2015	Feb. 8, 2015

Please submit the application form, your resume or CV and a letter of recommendation from your supervisor by the deadline for the session you wish to attend. You may also provide a letter of recommendation from a neonatologist; however, this is not required.

The registration fee for the one-week course is $500, in addition to the cost for lodging, meals and travel. Information on lodging within walking distance to the hospital is available. Do not send registration fee with your application.

Contact information

For further information, please contact:

Sue Konek, MA, RD, CSP, CNSD, LDN
Director, Clinical Nutrition
Phone: 267-426-7282
E-mail: konek@email.chop.edu
Joanne Giannantonio, RD, CSP, CDE, LDN
Clinical Inpatient Manager
Phone: 267-426-7625
E-mail: giannantonio@email.chop.edu

Faculty

Preceptors

Medical advisor

Kathryn Maschhoff, MD, PhD
Neonatologist
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

CHOP faculty

Thane Blinman, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Associate Director, Trauma Surgery
Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Division of General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery
Michael Posencheg, MD
Neonatologist
Associate Medical Director, Intensive Care Nursery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Natalie Rintoul, MD
Neonatologist
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Medical Director, Neonatal ECMO
Rachelle Lessen, MS, RD, IBCLC, LDN
Advanced Practice Dietitian/Lactation Consultant
Julia Welc, MA, CCC/SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Updated September 2012

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