Infant Malnutrition (FTT) — Discharge Instructions and Outpatient Follow-up — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient

Infant Malnutrition/Failure to Thrive (FTT) Clinical Pathway — Inpatient

Discharge Instructions and Outpatient Follow-up

Discharge preparation is essential to preventing readmission for this patient population. Consider following the instructions below.

Topic Instructions
Discharge Instructions
  • Include:
  • Specific feeding plan: timing, volume, mechanism, caloric density, supplements
  • Any recommendations from specialists (e.g., Speech, Lactation, Clinical Nutrition)
  • Primary Care Physician (PCP) and other specialty follow-up recommendations
Outpatient follow-up
  • Schedule PCP appointment within 24-72 hours
  • Notify PCP about discharge weight, feeding plan, and any consultant recommendations
  • Consider outpatient nutrition for infants on feeding regimens requiring increased caloric density/fortification
  • Lactation outpatient follow-up at CHOP is available
  • If patient was followed by speech during the hospital stay, outpatient follow-up may be recommended.
  • Tube-fed patients:
  • Provider to determine who will manage tube feeds outpatient
  • Assess if PCP is comfortable managing feeds; if not, consider GI or Feeding Team for management
  • Note: Inpatient Speech generally provides referrals for Outpatient Feeding Team
  • If specialty appointment is not available for weeks to months, consider guidelines from Clinical Nutrition for pediatrician to advance feeds until appointment takes place.