Applying New Learnings on Human Milk Composition to Clinical Practice in the NICU

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This education is about:

  • Recent updates to neonatal nutrition guidelines
  • Variability of human milk composition
  • Evidence on donor milk in preterm infants
  • Human milk fortification strategies
  • Applying knowledge of human milk variability in clinical practice
  • Engaging the multidisciplinary team to optimize neonatal nutrition

Why it matters:

Human milk is optimal for preterm infants due to its ability to offer protection against potentially life-threatening complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis. However, the concentration of many nutrients in human milk—whether mother’s own milk or donor milk—falls short of meeting those required to support growth and development. To achieve growth targets for preterm infants, macro- and micronutrient supplementation is a critical component of an adequate nutrition care plan.

Target Audience:

Pediatricians, neonatologists, nurses, dietitians and other healthcare providers involved in neonatal and childhood health

Course Credit:

2 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
2 ANCC Contact hour(s)
2 CA-BRN Contact hour(s)
2 CDR Contact hour(s)

Dates:

Opens: 2023-05-31
Closes: 2025-05-31

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Mead Johnson Nutrition.
  • Fernando R. Moya, MD

    Professor of Pediatrics
    University of North Carolina School of Medicine
    Director, Division of Wilmington Pediatric Subspecialties
    Wilmington, North Carolina

  • Brian K. Stansfield, MD

    Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Research
    Department of Pediatrics
    Member, Vascular Biology Center
    Medical College of Georgia
    Augusta University
    Augusta, Georgia

Contributing Faculty

  • Michaela Berroya, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC

    Nurse Clinician
    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, New York

  • Jennifer Fowler, MS, RDN, LDN

    Clinical Pediatric Dietitian
    Vidant Medical Center, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital
    Greenville, North Carolina

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the typical nutrient profile of preterm, term, and donor human milk
  • Assimilate new learnings from human milk research on the nutrient composition of human milk, including its variability, dynamicity, and factors that influence its components
  • Provide improved growth and nutrition-related outcomes to premature infants, leveraging the variety of human milk fortification strategies available
  • Evaluate the role of the healthcare team in optimizing nutrition to support growth and development