Improving Growth Velocity in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: a Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

Background: Inadequate nutritional support in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants results in growth failure and poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Early optimization of nutrition, especially protein intake, is an important strategy to achieve normal postnatal growth. Most infants postnatally demonstrate weight loss, do not sustain normal intrauterine growth rates once growth resumes, and do not achieve normal growth by term gestation. Identified reasons include: delays in achieving adequate nutrition, inadequate protein intake, late initiation of enteral feedings, use of unfortified human milk, and variability in practices between providers. To improve growth …