A recent increase in the rate of survival for very preterm infants creates numerous challenges for the staff of the NICU. One of the major issues is how to provide optimal nutrition while minimizing corresponding morbidities for the neonate. The article reviews the evidence on the what, how and why of optimal human milk feedings to the VLBW infant.

Program Objectives:
* Identify key nutrients necessary for human growth and development.

* Describe the role of mineral nutrients in the diet.

* List the action of vitamin nutrients in the newborn.

*Describe ways to enhance enteral nutrition for the very preterm newborn.

Faculty Name: Linda Juretschke, PhD, RNC-NPT, APN/NNP-BC, CCNS

Title: Founder and President of NICU Solutions, Inc.

Bio: Linda J. Juretschke, PhD, RNC-NPT, APN/NNP-BC, CCNS is a nationally recognized speaker, author and advanced practice neonatal nurse.

She is the founder and president of NICU Solutions, Inc, a neonatal continuing education and consulting firm in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Linda has almost 30 years of neonatal nursing experience in a variety of roles.

Linda currently practices as a neonatal nurse practitioner at The Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois.

Program Date: December 2010

Media Format(s): Print (English)

Continuing Education Units: Nurse 1.0 Contact Hour