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Published on: September 22, 2023
Feeding challenges in the late preterm infant
1Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT 06457, USA. karen_cleaveland@midhosp.org
Insights
Late preterm infants (born 34-36 6/7 weeks) face increased risks for feeding issues and readmission. Individualized feeding plans are crucial for their care and to reduce hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Perinatology
Background:
- Late preterm births (34-36 6/7 weeks gestation) have increased by 18% since the late 1990s.
- These infants are at higher risk for feeding difficulties, temperature instability, hypoglycemia, and hyperbilirubinemia.
- Feeding challenges can lead to prolonged hospital stays and readmissions.
Observation:
- Emerging data indicate significant risks for late preterm infants, including feeding difficulties, temperature instability, hypoglycemia, and hyperbilirubinemia.
- Feeding challenges are a primary driver of prolonged hospital stays and readmissions for this population.
Findings:
- Vulnerable late preterm newborns require specialized care strategies to mitigate associated health risks.
- Individualized feeding orders are recommended to address the specific needs of these infants.
Implications:
- Implementing tailored feeding protocols can reduce morbidity and improve the transition from hospital to home for late preterm infants.
- Enhanced parent teaching and nursery/postpartum unit care are essential for optimizing outcomes in this high-risk group.
Abstract:
A late preterm infant is defined as one born between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks of completed gestation. The rate of late preterm births has risen 18 percent since the late 1990s. Data are beginning to emerge concerning morbidity rates and the risks these newborns face with regard to feeding difficulties, temperature instability, hypoglycemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Feeding challenges place these vulnerable infants at risk for prolonged hospital stays and readmission after discharge. To better address the unique needs of late preterm infants, providers should establish individual feeding orders. This article offers research-based suggestions for caring for these infants in the newborn nursery and the postpartum unit as well as parent teaching guidelines.
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