Before birth, what provides nutrients?
Placenta
Describe structure and maturity of GI tract at birth, and what does this cause
Structurally complete, immature
Increased incidence of vomiting
Sucking is a reflex until
6 weeks
Why should any baby born before 34 weeks not be fed orally?
No sucking reflex
Stomach capacity at birth
1 tablespoon, 15ml
In newborns, stomach distention can lead to
Respiratory depression
When can solids begin to be digested
4 months, when pancreatic enzymes begin to be produced
Intestinal motility/peristalsis is ___________ in newborns
increased
When are pancreatic enzymes produced
4 months
When does liver maturation occur?
first year of life
By what age should a child be having 3 meals a day?
2
When should a child gain excretory control?
2-3
Why do children have more urine/kg?
inability to concentrate urine
What is the most common and serious acquired GI disorder in hospitalized preterm neonates?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
When does NEC appear
First 2 weeks of life after milk feeding begun
What are factors thought to cause NEC?
intestinal ischemia, bacterial/viral infection, lack of breast feedings, immaturity of intestine, low birth weight
Characteristic symptoms of NEC
distention, irritability, quick deterioration
Describe the treatment following the physical assessment (positive x-ray) of a baby with NEC
Quick deterioration!!!
Treatment is prompt
> NPO
> IV fluids
> ABX
> Sx
5 Long Term Complications of NEC
Malabsorption
Short bowel
Scarring causing obstruction following surgery
Scarring within abdomen causing pain and female infertility
Venous problems r/t long term TPN
5 Complications of Prematurity
5 Causes of Acute GI disorders (dehydration/vomiting)
Viral Causes of Diarrhea
Bacterial Causes of Diarrhea
Assessment of Patient with mild dehydration:
alert, soft/flat fontanelles, normal eyes, pink moist oral mucosa, elastic turgor, normal HR/BP, warm pink extremities, brisk cap refill, maybe slightly decreased urine output