We want every preterm baby, no matter where they are born, to have the best chance of a healthy life. New Aotearoa-specific nutrition guidelines for preterm babies are being developed over the next two years to help achieve this.

The guidelines are being developed by a Guideline Development Group that includes clinicians working in Aotearoa’s hospitals caring for preterm babies, consumers, and researchers from the Liggins Institute.

Our research has shown there is substantial variation in nutritional practice and health outcomes across Aotearoa’s Neonatal Nurseries. To tackle this variation, a Health Research Grant (HRC) has enabled our research group at the Liggins Institute to develop evidence-based Aotearoa-specific nutrition guidelines for preterm babies over the next two years, along with collaborating with other clinicians, consumers and researchers throughout the country. This work is being done by a multidisciplinary guideline development group, which will ensure they are based on up-to-date evidence, are straightforward for busy healthcare workers, and capture what is important to parents and whānau.

Current variation of care is associated with differences in survival, morbidity, growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. At present, neonatal outcomes show persistent privilege for some groups. For example, outcomes are better for Pākehā, and more Pākehā survive neonatal care. These differences are unjust, and the development of guidelines is one step in addressing these outcomes. Some international guidelines exist, but they are inconsistent, incomplete and lack relevance for the Aotearoa population.

Preterm babies and their whānau will benefit from nutrition guided by evidence and consensus for lifelong health and wellbeing. Benefits also include reducing geographical variation, ethnic inequities and overall improved health. Clinicians will benefit from a national guideline on which to base practice, improving their efficiency and effectiveness, streamlining prescribing practices and improving quality of care.

Guideline Development Group members include neonatologists, neonatal dietitians, a neonatal nurse, a nurse specialist (lactation), a pharmacist, a midwife, and consumers who play a key role in advising on current practice. Their expertise, alongside researchers from the Liggins Institute, will ensure the guidelines are practical, evidence-based, and easy to use in busy neonatal nurseries.

For more information, email the project manager, Catherine Belfield-Haines, at catherine.belfield-haines@auckland.ac.nz.