Use of technology in neonatal nutrition

Abstract

AbstractThere have been rapidly expanding uses of technology to enhance and improve nutrition in our smallest patients. Optimized nutrition in the neonatal patient is linked to improved outcomes, specifically neurodevelopmental outcomes and decreased length of stay. Despite advances in neonatal care that have improved survival, many patients being discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit are doing so with poor postnatal growth. Because the neonatal brain doubles in size from 20 weeks gestation to term, it is essential to focus care efforts on nutrition to optimize brain growth and development. This review focuses on three exciting areas of neonatal research, including the analysis of macronutrients in breast milk, measurement of body composition, and use of telemedicine.