The role of the dietician in the follow-up of high risk infants

Abstract

Infants who are seen in follow-up programs for high-risk neonates are at risk for growth disturbances and feeding difficulties. Since dietitians often are not included on follow-up teams, the role of a dietitian on a multi-disciplinary team at the Alberta Children's Hospital Perinatal Follow-Up Program is described. The dietitian contributes through clinical, teaching, and research activities. During 1986, the dietitian evaluated 298 infants; of these 14.5% required intensive dietary intervention while 28.9% received informal advice or written materials. Growth problems were most frequent in infants in the lowest birth-weight category (500-1000 g). Infants 8-12 months old experienced most feeding difficulties. The overall outcomes of the infants assessed by the multidisciplinary team are presented. The dietitian can make important contributions in all areas of follow-up team function.