The Application Of NICU-TPN Software In The Nutrition Management Of Premature Infants

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness and efficacy of NICU-TPN software in the nutrition management of very low birth weight infants(VLBWI)in a tertiary hospital.Methods:We reviewed the clinical data of 40 VLBWI(control group)born in 2011-2012 when manual calculation of nutrients were used and 60 VLBWI(study group)born in 2013-2015 when NICU-TPN software were used for TPN ordering.The clinical usefulness and efficacy of the software were assessed by comparing the nutrients and energy intake during the first week of life,the length of hospital stay,the average of daily weight gain,and the clinical outcomes between two groups.Results:During the first week of life,the lipid intake in the study group improved after the use of NICU-TPN software(P<0.05).There were no difference between two groups in the intake of glucose,amino acids,and energy during the first week of life.No difference were found between two groups in the length of hospital stay,the average of daily weight gain,blood sugar disorders,sepsis,and extrauterine growth restriction(P>0.05).However,the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia,parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis,and retinopathy of prematurity were higher in the study group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The optimizing nutritional support was achieved and the efficiency of clinical work was improved after the use of NICU-TPN software.It is very safe and high efficient for preterm infants to apply this software in the nutrition management.The relationship between parenteral nutrient supplies and clinical outcomes such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia,parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis,and retinopathy of prematurity are still unclear and further researches are needed.