Program Overview

Introduction to the Neonatal Nutrition Module

The Neonatal Nutrition module, coded as ADV788, is a 20-credit master's-level course designed for healthcare professionals. This module explores the nutritional and dietetic management of preterm and sick term infants in the neonatal period and beyond.

Key Features of the Module

• The module allows students to critically evaluate the evidence base for the nutritional and dietetic management of preterm infants and infants with complex neonatal nutritional problems.
• It provides the opportunity to understand, debate, and critically evaluate current clinical practices in neonatal nutrition.
• Students will develop parental and enteral feeding strategies to meet the complex needs of sick-term and preterm infants during their neonatal care and during the growing phase prior to and post-discharge.
• The module is accredited by the British Dietetics Association and can be taken as a standalone short course or as part of the MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Paediatric Dietetics.

Module Details

• Module Code: ADV788
• Credits: 20
• FHEQ Level: Level 7 master's degree
• Location: Online delivery

Course Details and Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the importance of early and appropriate nutrition for sick-term and preterm infants with complex needs.
• Evaluate and debate the dietetic management of infants following gastrointestinal complications.
• Synthesize an evidence-based justification to support dietetic advice for the feeding of preterm infants post-discharge and for advice on longer-term nutrition.
• Critically analyze and evaluate the evidence base for contemporary issues and controversial topics in neonatal nutrition.
• Synthesize a relevant approach to the nutritional management of infants and their carers, adapting and communicating plans to family members, carers, healthcare professionals, and others.

Assessment

The assessment for this module is a 4,000-word reflective essay.

Module Dates

Proposed dates for the module include a welcome session and several teaching days. Please note that module dates may be subject to change.

Admissions Information and Entry Requirements

• Students must be currently working in the field of clinical nutrition and dietetics.
• They must be a registered dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• An in-depth knowledge of nutrition and dietetics to honors degree level is required.
• Normally, a relevant first-class, 2:1, or 2:2 honors degree is expected.

Fees and Funding

Fee information can be found via the relevant professional body. Funding for this module may be available through the employing trust.

Module Lead and Accreditation

The University module lead is a specialist in pediatric dietetics, and the module is accredited by the British Dietetics Association.