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Monitoring an infant’s weight in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a critical aspect of ensuring the health and development of newborns, especially those born prematurely. In the NICU, infants are often at risk for poor growth, which can have long-term effects on their health. Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor and manage their growth.
Weight monitoring in the NICU involves daily weigh-ins using highly sensitive scales, as these infants may only gain grams per day. Consistency is key, so the weighing is done at the same time each day, typically after a diaper change and before feeding, to ensure accuracy. For extremely low birth weight infants, more frequent weight checks may be necessary.
Growth charts specifically designed for preterm infants are used to track growth against standardized percentiles for weight, length, and head circumference. These charts take into account the infant’s gestational age and provide a corrected age to assess growth appropriately.
In addition to daily weight monitoring, fluid intake and output are meticulously recorded to manage the delicate balance of hydration and nutrition, which directly impacts weight. Nutrition is carefully calibrated, often starting with parenteral nutrition and transitioning to enteral feeds as the infant matures. Breast milk is encouraged for its numerous benefits, and fortifiers may be added to increase calorie and nutrient content for those who need additional growth support.
After discharge from the NICU, follow-up is crucial. Infants should be seen regularly for growth assessments to ensure they continue to follow a healthy growth trajectory. Adjustments to feeding regimens may be made based on these assessments to promote optimal growth and development.
Overall, the goal of weight monitoring in the NICU is to support the growth of these vulnerable infants in a manner that mimics the steady growth they would have experienced in utero, setting them up for the best possible start in life. The dedication of NICU staff, coupled with the use of specialized equipment and growth charts, ensures that each infant’s growth is supported and carefully monitored throughout their critical early days.
Health o meter Professional’s 2210KL4-AM neonatal scale is ideal for the NICU due to its high accuracy, antimicrobial protection, and motion detection technology, ensuring precise measurements even with infant movement. The scale also has the ability to calculate breast milk intake, making it especially valuable for monitoring feeding efficiency. Its easy-to-clean removable tray, built-in measuring tape, and versatile weight display options enhance convenience and hygiene. Designed for durability, this scale reliably supports the critical task of monitoring infant growth and development in the NICU.
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References:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Care of the extremely low birth weight infant. Pediatrics.
Bell, E. F., & Acarregui, M. J. (2018). Weight management in the NICU. Journal of Perinatology, 38, 185-192.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Premature birth growth charts.
Fenton, T. R., & Kim, J. H. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis to revise the Fenton growth chart for preterm infants. BMC Pediatrics, 13, 59.
Embleton, N. D., & Moltu, S. J. (2021). Nutritional management of preterm infants: Current perspectives. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Patel, A. L., Meier, P. P., & Kim, J. H. (2017). Benefits of breast milk in the NICU and the role of human milk fortification. The Journal of Pediatrics, 169, S20-S28.
Vohr, B. R., & McGowan, E. (2019). Post-discharge growth and development in preterm infants. Pediatrics in Review, 40(11), 581-592.