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# Mometrix ## Radiant Heat Warmers - Radiant heat devices work best if the room temperature is kept above 25°C. - Two problems related to radiant warmers include: - intubation or line placement - Promote dehydration if an infant is placed under them for a prolonged amount of time, especial...

# Mometrix ## Radiant Heat Warmers - Radiant heat devices work best if the room temperature is kept above 25°C. - Two problems related to radiant warmers include: - intubation or line placement - Promote dehydration if an infant is placed under them for a prolonged amount of time, especially if the infant is premature. - Risk overheating the infant or cause first-degree burns. - Temperature sensors must be appropriately placed and the infant's temperature monitored frequently to ensure the infant is not being over or under heated. ## Benefits of Breast Milk - Breast milk is the food of choice for newborn infants. - Colostrum, produced during the first few days after birth, is scant, thick, yellowish, and high in protein and antibody content. - Colostrum stimulates the passage of meconium. - Transitional milk (days 3-14) is thinner and white with a composition closer to mature milk. - By the second week, most mothers produce 23-27 ounces of bluish-white, mature breast milk. - Most neonates nurse every 1 to 3 hours for 20 to 40 minutes. - Breast milk provides appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and trace elements. - It contains maternal antibodies that help bolster the infant's immature immune system. - Breast-fed babies have reduced risks of eczema, asthma, obesity, and elevated cholesterol later in life. - Breastfeeding enhances the bond between the mother and the infant by physical contact and recognition of communication signals. - The maternal cost is an extra 500 calories a day and extra water. - There is no chance of causing kidney damage by mixing formula incorrectly. ## Neonatal Caloric Requirements - The caloric needs of a neonate (pre-term or term) depend on postnatal age, activity, current weight, growth rate, thermal environment, and route of nutritional intake. - Cold stress increases caloric requirements. - Infants who receive parenteral nutrition need fewer calories as they do not have any fecal loss, and the nutrients are not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. - The general requirements for adequate growth include: - Full term infant: 100 to 120 cal/kg/day. - Premature infants: 110 to 160 cal/kg/day. - Infants who are recovering from surgery or have a chronic illness, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD): ≤180 cal/kg/day. - Unfortified formulas (and most breast milk) supply 20 calories per ounce. - To ingest 120 cal/kg/day, an infant needs to ingest 6 ounces/kg/day of unfortified formula or breast milk. - Special formulas designed for premature infants and fortifiers that can be added to breast milk provide higher calorie contents per ounce (22 to 24 calories per ounce). ## Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins - Carbohydrates: One gram of carbohydrates provides 3.4 calories. Carbohydrates should provide approximately 40-50% of total daily calories. - Lactose is the predominant carbohydrate. - Premature infants may be deficient in the enzyme lactase (enzyme that breaks down lactose), so premature infant formulas utilize lesser amounts of lactose, combined with glucose polymers.