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Screening Infants at Risk for Fractures — Nutritional Interventions — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient

Screening Infants and Children at Risk for Fractures Clinical Pathway — Inpatient

Nutritional Interventions

  • Adequate nutrition provisions are integral for growth and bone mineralization, particularly during the period of rapid growth that occurs during childhood
  • Critically ill children are at high risk of inadequate intake due to alterations or disruptions in nutrient delivery that may occur as a result of treatment plans or disease states such as:
    • Alterations in intestinal absorption and mineral retention
    • Disruptions in feeding delivery for procedures, feeding intolerance, or other medical needs
    • Nutritional inadequacies of the products available for both parenteral and enteral nutrition
  • Therapeutic nutrition interventions are often necessary to optimize nutrient intake in this population
Intervention Rationale/Additional Information
Place Nutrition Consult if RD Not
Previously Involved in Care
Ensure adequate nutrition provisions of micronutrient intake from both formula fed and oral diets
Optimize PN Ca and Phosphorus
Cysteine as needed
  • Consult with RD to adjust calcium and phosphorus in PN per lab values
    • Ideal provisions for bone mineral accretion
    • Ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio
    • Compounding limits for calcium and phosphorus precipitation
Optimize enteral Ca and Phosphorus Intake
  • Adjust/add fortification as able
  • Use preterm products for preterm infants when possible
  • Add supplements when indicated
Ensure Adequate Vitamin D Intake
Start at feeding initiation or cessation of PN
  • Include 25(OH) vitamin D content of feedings plus supplementation to achieve Adequate Intake (AI)
    • < 12 mos 10 mcg (400 units)/dose daily or 20 mcg (800 units)/dose every other day
    • ≥ 12 mos 15-20 mcg (600-800 units) daily
Optimize Diuretic and/or Steroid Regiment
  • Use mineral sparing agents when possible
  • Stop or reduce medications with osteopathic effects as clinically able

 

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