Neonatal Nutrition and Feeding Flashcards

A neonate with suspected NEC has abdominal X-ray showing pneumatosis intestinalis. This finding represents:

Answer: Gas within the intestinal wall, a pathognomonic sign of NEC

Pneumatosis intestinalis (intramural gas) is produced by gas-forming bacteria invading damaged intestinal mucosa and is pathognomonic for NEC.

Bell's staging criteria classifies NEC into stages I, IIA/B, and IIIA/B. Stage III requires:

Answer: Surgical intervention due to intestinal perforation or severe deterioration

Bell Stage III NEC involves intestinal perforation or clinical deterioration with peritonitis, requiring surgical management including exploratory laparotomy.

The caloric goal for adequate growth in a preterm NICU infant is approximately:

Answer: 110–130 kcal/kg/day

Preterm infants require 110–130 kcal/kg/day enterally to achieve weight gain of approximately 15–20 g/kg/day comparable to intrauterine growth.

Gastroesophageal reflux in the NICU is best managed initially by:

Answer: Positioning, smaller more frequent feeds, and thickening feeds before pharmacotherapy

Conservative non-pharmacological measures are first-line for neonatal GER; evidence for pharmacotherapy in neonates is limited and carries risks.

A neonate receiving TPN develops glucose in the urine (glucosuria). The most likely cause is:

Answer: Hyperglycemia exceeding the renal glucose threshold

Neonatal glucosuria occurs when blood glucose exceeds the renal tubular threshold (~150–180 mg/dL), causing glucose to spill into urine.

Which vitamin deficiency is a NICU nurse most concerned about in infants receiving exclusive breast milk without supplementation?

Answer: Vitamin D deficiency

Breast milk contains insufficient vitamin D; all breastfed infants (including NICU graduates) require 400 IU/day supplementation to prevent rickets.