NICU Nutrition for the New RD

neonate

a newborn up to 28 DOL

appropriate for gestational age (AGA)

10th-90th%ile BW for GA

weight gain goal for preterm infants

15-20 g/kg/day minimum optimal gain between 20-30 g/kg/day

weight gain goal for term infants (and preterm infants corrected to term)

25-35 g/day (note: not measured in g/kg/day as compared with preterm infant goals)

DOL1 fluid needs based on birth weight: >1.5 kg

60-80 mL/kg/day

DOL1 fluid needs based on birth weight: 1-1.5 kg

70-90 mL/kg/day

DOL1 fluid needs based on birth weight: <1 kg

90-120 mL/kg/day

small for gestational age (SGA)

<10%ile BW for GA

extremely low birth weight (ELBW)

<1000 grams (2 pounds, 3 ounces)

very low birth weight (VLBW)

<1500 grams (3 pounds, 5 ounces)

low birth weight (LBW)

<2500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces)

birthweight should be regained by...

DOL 14

large for gestational age (LGA)

above 90th%ile BW for GA

term

gestational age 37-42 weeks

preterm

gestational age <37 weeks

postterm

gestational age >42 weeks

head circumference gain goal for term infants

greater than or equal to 0.5 cm/week

length gain goal for term infants (and preterm infants corrected to term)

greater than or equal to 0.5 cm/week

head circumference gain goal for preterm infants

greater than or equal to 1 cm/week

length gain goal for preterm infants

greater than or equal to 1 cm/week

postnatal diuresis

ranges between 8-15% of BW greater in smallest, most premature infants typically complete by day 4-6 of life