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