Neonatal Nutrition Fellowship Program

Program Content

Program content will be individualized for the neonatal nutrition fellow based on interests, needs, and abilities.

Core Block of Nutrition Training ^

A core block of nutrition training presents neonatal nutrition principles and their clinical application. The training is presented in the neonatal intensive care units and the Level 2 nurseries of Texas Children's Hospital and Ben Taub General Hospital. The Nutrition Services Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Early Childhood Intervention Program provide training on high-risk infants in the home setting.

Nursery Experience ^

Each fellow gains experience in the nurseries by making their own nutritional assessment rounds, bedside rounds with the neonatal nutritionist to discuss nutrition principles and problems demonstrated by the intensive care patients, and daily neonatal attending rounds with the neonatologist, house staff, and neonatal nurse practitioners.

Neonatal Nutrition Team Rounds ^

Fellows participate in rounds with the Neonatal Nutrition Team every Thursday.

Special Project ^

Six weeks into the fellowship, each fellow selects a special project. This project on the nutrition management of high-risk neonates is completed while the fellow is at Baylor College of Medicine.

Neonatal Nutrition Database ^

A computer-driven neonatal nutrition database is available to aid nutrition fellows in nutritional assessment of neonates, preparation of case studies, and the development of special projects.

Oral Presentations and Neonatal Case Studies ^

Fellows prepare several oral presentations and neonatal case studies on selected patients from both the NICU and the community setting. Written case studies on premature infants also are completed. These case studies emphasize hospital nutrition support as well as follow-up care for infants post-discharge.

In-service Presentation ^

Each fellow gives an in-service presentation to members of the neonatology team.

Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates (TCPA) Medical Home Clinics ^

At the TCPA medical home clinics, the fellows observe the nutritional problems of infants and children. Good health practices and the prevention of obesity are discussed. Graduates of the NICU can attend these clinics.

Activities on Pediatric Obesity Prevention, Assessment and Treatment ^

Activities on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adult obesity will be done in conjunction with the BCM Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Center for the Study of Childhood Obesity. Fellows will attend the interdisciplinary meeting for Eating Disorders Clinic and lectures on pediatric obesity.

MCH Leadership Activities ^

MCH public policy and advocacy training will be conduced via discussions and legislative activities. January fellows will have the opportunity to participate in MCH leadership activities with the Leadership in Adolescence Health Training Program located at BCM.

Additional Educational Activities ^

Fellows also have access to

weekly seminars on newborn medicine,
case conferences and neonatal research,
subspecialty conference, perinatal center conference, and
a monthly neonatal journal club.

In addition, the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center has weekly nutrition research seminars, and pediatric grand rounds are presented weekly at Texas Children's Hospital.