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NICU Currents: The 5 Ps for Promoting Gut Health and Feeding Tolerance in Preterm Infants

Publication Date: 3 December 2020

Continuing Education Units: Nurse Contact: 1.0; Dietitian CPEU: 1.0

Course Description:

In this article, you’ll review how feeding protocols and the provision of human milk can decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis; explain a WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY approach to probiotics in the NICU; describe how antibiotic overuse can impact morbidity and mortality in preterm infants; and more.

Course Objectives:

•Review how feeding protocols and providing human milk can decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.

•Explain a WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY approach to probiotics in the NICU.

•Describe how the practice of antibiotic overuse can impact morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.

•Identify NICU feeding challenges for preemie parents and the importance of creating parent partnerships.

CDR Level: 2
Performance Indicators: 6.2.3, 8.1.2, 8.3.1, 10.2.9
Run Time: 60

Course Instructor Bio(s)

Sharon Groh-Wargo, PhD, RDN

Professor & Senior Nutritionist, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine

MetroHealth Medical Center

Cleveland, OH, USA

Sharon Groh-Wargo, PhD, RDN is the Senior Neonatal Nutritionist in the Department of Pediatrics at MetroHealth Medical Center and a Professor in Nutrition and Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Dr Groh-Wargo has over 40 years of experience, is a nationally known speaker and researcher, and has authored numerous publications on neonatal nutrition. She is an editor of both editions of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Pocket Guide to Neonatal Nutrition and is a contributor to the Academy’s online Pediatric Nutrition Care Manual. Dr Groh-Wargo authored a chapter on “Lactoengineering” for the 3rd edition of Infant and Pediatric Feedings: Guidelines for Preparation of Human Milk and Formula in Health Care Facilities. She participates in the Pre-B Project, sponsored by the NIH in cooperation with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which was convened to perform systematic reviews of neonatal nutrition and to set national dietary guidelines for the premature infant. Dr Groh-Wargo received the 2019 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award.

Jenné Johns, MPH

President, Once Upon A Preemie

Jenné Johns, MPH is the mother of an ELBW preterm infant, author, speaker, advocate, and President of Once Upon A Preemie. As an advocate for reducing healthcare disparities, Jenné found herself advocating for the needs of her son, as his survival depended on it. She also learned the power of reading to her son daily. Jenné wrote, “Once Upon a Preemie” which is the first of its kind children’s book written for the parents of preemies while they are in the NICU. This bedside companion seeks to motivate, encourage and inspire preemie babies and families until they go home. Jenné also created the Once Upon A Preemie Academy, a virtual training program focused on health and racial equity for the NICU and Preemie Professionals.

Her preemie parent contributions include consulting and blogging for fortune 500 companies on preemie parent needs from a cultural lens and reading as a tool for growth, development, and bonding. She serves on numerous advisory committees advocating for preemie babies and eliminating health disparities including: NICU Parent Network, The National Coalition on Infant Health, and March of Dimes Prematurity Prevention Collaborative. Jenné earned a master’s degree in public health from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Ecology Nutrition with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Kristen Brown, NNP-BC, CNS-P, CONQS

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Quality Liaison

Golisano Children’s Hospital

Rochester, NY, USA

Kristen Brown is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist currently in the role of Pediatric Quality Liaison at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY, USA. Kristen has practiced at many large academic medical centers including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She has co-authored multiple articles in the areas simulation, medication safety practices and most recently NICU antibiotic stewardship. Kristen graduated with a BSN from Hartwick College, her MSN from the University of Delaware and her Post-Master’s from the Ohio State University. Her current areas of focus are on medication safety and error reduction as well as preventable harm to pediatric patients.