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. 2024 Sep 20;16(18):3181.
doi: 10.3390/nu16183181.

Adherence to Nutritional Practice Guideline in Premature Infants: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan

Chi-Shiuan Ting  1   2 , Po-Nien Tsao  1 , Hung-Chieh Chou  1 , Ting-An Yen  1 , Hsin-Chung Huang  1 , Chien-Yi Chen  1
Affiliations

Adherence to Nutritional Practice Guideline in Premature Infants: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan

Chi-Shiuan Ting et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the current neonatal nutritional practices in Taiwan and promote consensus on standardized protocols.

Methods: An online questionnaire comprising 95 items on parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) practices was distributed to neonatal care units across Taiwan via email between August and December 2022. The responses were compared with the recommendations from the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition for preterm infant care.

Results: Most of the 35 neonatal units, comprising 17 level III and 18 level II units, that participated in this study adhered to standard PN protocols; however, only 30% of units used protein-containing solutions as the initial fluid. Over half of the neonatal units provided calcium, phosphate, and magnesium at less than the recommended dosage. Trophic feeding commenced within 48 h in 88% of the units, with the mother's milk used as the first choice. All the units preferred commencing advanced feeding at <25 mL/kg/day.

Conclusions: Most nutrient protocols for preterm infants in neonatal units in Taiwan meet recent guidelines, but discrepancies such as lower mineral supplements in PN and a slower advancement of enteral feeding increase nutritional risk. These issues warrant further research.

Keywords: clinical practice; enteral nutrition; neonatology; parenteral nutrition; prematurity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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