Nutrition for Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease Clinical Pathway — CICU
Nutrition for Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease Clinical Pathway — CICU
Initiate Trophic Feeds
Rationale
- Small volume, trophic enteral feeds are beneficial because they provide immune support and help prevent mucosal atrophy, particularly in the small bowel.
- While trophic feeds do not provide significant nutrition, they help prevent malabsorption and intestinal bacterial translocation.
Before initiating enteral nutrition regimen:
- Determine mother’s feeding plan.
- Human milk (maternal or donor) preferred.
- If maternal breast milk is unavailable, determine mother’s preference for use of donor breast milk versus formula.
Trophic Feeds
- 1-2 mL/hr.
- Monitor feeding tolerance.