Finalist
The Global Neo Learning Summit: Navigating Nutrition for the Preterm Infant
With support from Medscape Medical Affairs
Summary of work
Every year, ~15 million babies are born preterm. The infants, parents/caregivers and physicians face a complex clinical situation combining the physical challenges of preterm birth (physiological immaturity and a high risk of postnatal growth failure) with the emotional burden of anxious parents/caregivers. A major priority for preterm infants is ensuring that nutritional intake meets the child’s individual requirements with formula being the mainstay clinical care strategy. In February 2022, the US baby formula crisis struck creating a restricted supply of formula and an urgent need to support the healthcare communities to optimise formula use. The first virtual NeoLearning Summit was developed establishing a network of likeminded clinicians to optimise nutritional management of preterm infants according to individual patient needs. One hundred US paediatricians and neonatologists attended, joined by >500 additional healthcare professionals from 70 countries and >1000 registering interest in the enduring programme. Delegates demonstrated improvements in both clinical knowledge and competency (assessed as an integral part of the programme) and took best practices back to clinic impacting the care of >5,000 preterm babies in the US (~30,000 globally) during a time of great need.
Judges’ comments
The Global Neo Learning Summit has solid execution with good use of measurement and high potential impact. It is a much-needed forum during a challenging time for parents and physicians.
