SUBJECT: Caloric intake via feeding tube

QUESTION: My 4 month old daughter is fed through a g-tube that is controlled by a feeding pump. How do I calculate her formula increase as she gains weight? She is currently between 8.5 and 9 pounds and is 20 inches long.

RESPONSE: A parent should never be controlling the numbers in an infant. It depends on the formula caloric density, the catch up growth needed, the basal metabolic rate, and the actual weight gain. The nutritionist, or preferably the pediatric gastroenterologist should do this calculation, and it should be updated every month or two until things have reached a good range.

11/8/2002 DP