Standardized Feeding Protocols to Reduce Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Fragile Infants Born Premature or with Congenital Heart Disease: Implementation Science Needed.

Although a unit-adopted standardized feeding protocol (SFP) for neonates is standard of care, implementation strategies for SFPs vary across neonatal and pediatric intensive care. Besides improving growth and reducing feeding interruptions, SFPs reduce risk for necrotizing enterocolitis in infants with heart disease or born premature. The purpose of this article is to bridge the gap between recommended and actual care using SFPs.