Implementation of Nutritional Care Bundle is Associated with Improved Growth in Preterm Infants Born Before 32 Gestational Weeks

Objective: To evaluate whether implementing a nutritional care bundle is associated with growth and morbidity in very preterm (VPT) infants.

Study Design: This study compared 87 VPT infants (<32 gestational weeks) born 2018 (Before group) with 75 infants born 2020 (After group), treated at a single center in the Czech Republic. A nutritional care bundle was implemented during 2019.

Results: Median gestational age (weeks) was 30.0 [IQR 27.6-31.1] for the Before group and 29.9 [IQR 27.9-30.6] for the After group. During postnatal days 1-14, parenteral fluid intake was significantly lower in the After group compared to the Before group and conversely for enteral fluid intake. Infants in the After group achieved full enteral feeds by postnatal day 14 (72.9 % vs. Before group 51.9 %). Weight z-scores decreased significantly less from birth to 36 weeks postmenstrual age in the After group (-0.8 [IQR -1.3 to -0.5]) compared to the Before group (-1.5 [IQR -2.0 to -1.2]). Head circumference z-scores decreased significantly less in the After group (-0.8±0.9) than the Before group (-1.6±1.1). Decreased rate of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) requiring treatment was observed in the After group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Implementation of a nutritional care bundle in VPT infants was associated with improved postnatal growth and may reduce treatment-requiring PDA.