Metabolic Basics
The primary source of energy for neonates.
What is glucose?
Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients using this route.
What is intravenous (IV)?
The preferred first feed for most neonates is this.
What is breast milk?
Preterm infants often require supplementation of this mineral for bone health.
What is calcium?
Newborn screening commonly tests for this disorder where infants can’t break down phenylalanine.
What is phenylketonuria (PKU)?
Newborns are at risk for this metabolic disturbance due to poor glycogen stores.
What is hypoglycemia?
This macronutrient provides the most calories per gram in parenteral nutrition.
What is lipid?
A slow progression of feed volumes in preterm infants is called this.
What is trophic feeding (or minimal enteral nutrition)?
Low sodium in a newborn is known by this medical term.
What is hyponatremia?
Hypoglycemia can occur in infants of mothers with this metabolic condition.
What is diabetes mellitus?
The process by which neonates generate heat from fat metabolism.
What is non-shivering thermogenesis?
This trace element is supplemented in TPN to prevent deficiency, especially in preemies.
What is zinc?
This tube is commonly used for enteral feeding in NICU babies.
What is a nasogastric (NG) tube?
Vitamin D is supplemented to prevent this bone disorder in preemies.
What is rickets (or osteopenia of prematurity)?
This inherited disorder affects the breakdown of galactose in milk.
What is galactosemia?
This metabolic waste product must be monitored closely in infants with renal issues.
What is urea (or blood urea nitrogen/BUN)?
One risk of long-term TPN is this liver condition.
What is cholestasis?
Breast milk contains this substance that aids infant immunity.
What is immunoglobulin (mainly IgA)?
This electrolyte must be gradually repleted to avoid rebound hyperkalemia.
What is potassium?
Maple syrup urine disease results in accumulation of these.
What are branched-chain amino acids?
This hormone increases blood glucose by triggering glycogen breakdown.
What is glucagon?
To minimize infection risk, this technique is essential when accessing central lines for TPN.
What is aseptic (sterile) technique?
Fortification of breast milk is done to provide extra amounts of this nutrient to preemies.
What is protein (or calories/minerals; protein is most specific)?
Deficiency of this micronutrient can lead to anemia in NICU patients.
What is iron?
Adrenal insufficiency in newborns leads to imbalances in these two electrolytes.
What are sodium and potassium?