Class Activity: Nutrition Needs of Preterm Infants
Use the information in the “Energy and Nutrient Needs of Preterm Infants and Infants with Special Health Care Needs and/or Developmental Delay” section of Chapter 9 to complete this worksheet. 1.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, what is the daily estimated energy requirement (EER) for an infant born before 34 weeks of gestation?
The American academy of pediatrics advises that premature infants need 105–130 kcal per kg, while the European society for gastroenterology and nutrition recommends an energy intake range of 110–135 kcal/kg. Intake for recovering premature infants may be even higher.
2.
How does the daily EER of an infant born before 34 weeks of gestation compared to the daily EER of late preterm (born between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation) and term infants (born at or after 37 weeks gestation)?
The daily EER decreases slightly in late preterm infants to 100-130 kcal/kg, and more for a term infant to 96-120 kcal/kg.
3.
What is the DRI of protein for an infant during its first year of life? How do the protein needs
of a preterm infant compare to the protein needs of a term infant?
The DRI is 1.52 g/kg, higher protein intakes are recommended for preterm infants (3-3.5 g/kg) and for micro preterm infants up to 4.5 g/kg.
4.
What is a micropreterm infant? What are the daily protein needs of a micropreterm infant?
They are infants born before 30 weeks gestation, their DRI protein needs can be as high as 4.5 g/kg.
5.
How does an infant’s daily fat requirements compare to those of older children and adults?
Infants need a higher percentage of their daily calories from fats than children or adults, this is essential to support rapid growth and development. The human milk that they consume is 45-55% fat.
