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Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

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Chapter 16 - <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Interventions</strong> <strong>for</strong> Respiratory Diseases<br />

infants <strong>with</strong> BPD experience increased energy needs (7). The reasons <strong>for</strong> this are not<br />

entirely clear, but increased work of breathing, catecholamine release due to stress,<br />

increased energy requirements <strong>for</strong> feeding, and the effects of medications probably<br />

all play roles. Energy requirements of 120-160 kcal/kg/d have been reported (8). A<br />

number of factors contribute to energy expenditure in individuals, including genetics,<br />

activity, and severity of respiratory distress. Correlating growth <strong>with</strong> energy intake is<br />

the best indicator of adequacy.<br />

It may be difficult to provide adequate energy to infants and young children <strong>with</strong><br />

BPD. They may have ongoing fluid restrictions due to concerns about pulmonary<br />

edema. They may experience fatigue <strong>with</strong> feeding. Increasing the energy density<br />

of <strong>for</strong>mula or breastmilk using a combination of components may be helpful (see<br />

Appendix T). For infants <strong>with</strong> BPD it is inappropriate to use only carbohydrate to<br />

increase energy density. A high carbohydrate load increases production of CO . At the<br />

2<br />

same time, the addition of excess fat may delay gastric emptying. Delayed gastric<br />

emptying may contribute to gastroesophageal reflux. The addition of vegetable oils<br />

that may separate out from <strong>for</strong>mula or breastmilk may be problematic as they may<br />

increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Since infants <strong>with</strong> BPD are at also risk <strong>for</strong><br />

more frequent and serious illnesses in the first months of life, it is important to teach<br />

caregivers how to assess hydration status during illness, especially when infants are<br />

receiving an energy-dense <strong>for</strong>mula.<br />

<strong>Nutrition</strong>al care <strong>for</strong> the infant <strong>with</strong> BPD must be individualized. Feeding concerns,<br />

nutrient needs, and growth outcomes are different <strong>for</strong> each infant. Variables that<br />

influence the nutrition care plan include initial severity of BPD, presence of other<br />

medical problems, and characteristics the infant and caregiver bring to the feeding<br />

relationship. Infants and young children <strong>with</strong> severe BPD may require ongoing<br />

mechanical ventilation and a tracheostomy, medications <strong>with</strong> nutrition implications<br />

such as corticosteroids and diuretics (see Chapter 5), gastrostomy tube feedings (see<br />

Chapter 10), and frequent hospitalization. Some infants <strong>with</strong> milder <strong>for</strong>ms of BPD<br />

may continue to require medical/nutritional interventions post discharge including<br />

supplemental oxygen, medications, and tube feeding. Some infants <strong>with</strong> CLD may<br />

experience exacerbations of respiratory dysfunction <strong>with</strong> illness, and have feeding<br />

difficulties <strong>with</strong>out ongoing need <strong>for</strong> oxygen, medications, or tube feeding.<br />

FeeDING DIFFICulTIeS<br />

Feeding problems are common among infants <strong>with</strong> moderate or severe BPD. These<br />

infants benefit from an interdisciplinary team approach to assess and treat feeding<br />

issues. Problems found in infants <strong>with</strong> BPD include poor coordination of suck,<br />

swallow, and breathing, swallowing dysfunction <strong>with</strong> silent microaspiration, oral-<br />

180 <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Interventions</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Children</strong> With <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Needs</strong>

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