Nutrition services in Canadian neonatal follow-up programs

The benefits of nutrition assessment and support of the high-risk infant are well established. The premature infant remains vulnerable for poor growth and developmental disabilities, thus requiring consistent monitoring, intervention, and follow-up care. The purpose of this study was to determine the registered dietitian's role in neonatal/perinatal follow-up programs. A survey was sent to the 26 follow-up programs in Canada. The questionnaire response rate was 81%. Registered dietitians were involved in 67% of these programs. Of these dietitians, 43% were assigned to neonatal/perinatal follow-up programs while 57% were involved only by consult. The average time that assigned registered dietitians devoted to programs was 0.35 full-time equivalents. Over 80% of the dietitians did ongoing development, evaluation, and modification of nutrition care plans; 71% screened new patients for nutritional risk, and 100% instructed patient families and developed teaching materials. The study findings will assist program planners who wish to establish a dietitian position in a neonatal/ perinatal follow-up program. For registered dietitians already working in such programs, the results may provide some guidance on role definition and expansion.