Probiotic Use in the NICU: Is Now the Time?

Program Date: 17 June 2019

Publication Date: 30 August 2019

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

Course Description:

In this course, you’ll review the importance of the microbiota and its development in term and preterm infants; discuss the alteration of the gut microbiota in the preterm infant; summarize evidence-based literature on probiotic use in the NICU; and discuss common probiotic safety concerns and implementation strategies in the NICU.

Course Objectives:

•Review the importance of the microbiota and its development in term and preterm infants.

•Discuss the alteration of gut microbiota in the preterm infant, leading to dysbiosis.

•Review evidence-based literature on probiotic use in the NICU.

•Discuss common probiotic safety concerns and implementation strategies in the NICU.

CDR Level: 1
Suggested Learning Codes: 2100, 5060, 5170, 9020
Performance Indicators: 6.1.2, 6.2.3, 8.1.2, 8.3.5
Run Time: 48

Course Instructor Bio(s)

Heaven Holdbrooks, RN, MSN, PNP, CNS, RNC-NIC

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Southern CA, USA

Heaven Holdbrooks is a clinical nurse specialist working in a level III NICU in southern California and is board certified as a neonatal nurse. She obtained her BSN at the University of California Irvine and her MSN at the University of California Los Angeles with a dual degree in clinical nurse specialist and pediatric nurse practitioner. She has worked in the NICU for the past 10 years and is well versed in quality improvement initiatives. She is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of children and their families.