This conference is jointly presented by and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology.
Dates: March 3-5, 2026
Save the Date for 2027: March 2-4, 2027
Registration is open!
Accreditation/Credit Designation Statement
Provided by ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine.
Physician
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Creditsâ„¢. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Ethics
The presentation, Ethics in the NICU: Walking in Their Shoes and Engaging Muslim Parents Who Refuse Donor Breast Milk on Religious Grounds, has been designated by ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine for 1.50 credit(s) of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
American Board of Pediatrics MOC
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 17.75 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.
Nurses
Texas Children’s Hospital is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This activity awards up to 17.75 ANCC contact hours.
Dietitians
The 2026 Dr. Diane Anderson Neonatal Nutrition Conference Live Viewing awards 18 CPEUs in accordance with the Commission on dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.
The 2026 Dr. Diane Anderson Neonatal Nutrition Conference Recorded Viewing awards 20 CPEUs in accordance with the Commission on dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.
Agenda
Times are Central Standard Time.
| Time | Activity | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 8:50 - 9 a.m. | Pretest | |
| 9 - 9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks | Amy Hair, M.D. |
| 9:15 - 9:25 a.m. | Welcome from Division Chief of Neonatology, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital | Kristina Reber, M.D. |
| 9:25 - 10:25 a.m. | Dr. Diane Anderson Memorial Lecture: The history of Neonatal Nutrition and Lessons Learned from Dr. Diane Anderson |
|
| 10:25 - 10:35 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:35 - 11:20 a.m. | What We Know (and Don’t Know) About Caring for Infants 22-24 Weeks’ Gestation | Matt Rysavy, M.D. |
| 11:20 - 11:30 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Nutrition for Extremely Preterm Infants 22 0/7-23 6/7 weeks gestation | Amy Hair, M.D. |
| 12:15 - 12:25 p.m. | Break | |
| 12:25 - 1:10 p.m. | Beyond Extreme Prematurity: Management and Outcomes of Previable Infants Born at 22 to 23 Weeks Gestation | Jon Klein, M.D. |
| 1:10 - 1:40 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:40 - 2:10 p.m. | Nutrition for infants born 22-23 week gestation panel |
|
| 2:10 - 2:20 p.m. | Break |
Participates will select one presentation to attend at each time slot:
| Time | Beginner Route | Speaker | Advanced Route | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:20 - 3:05 p.m. | Getting Started in the NICU: Enteral Nutrition use and Calculations |
| Congenital Heart Disease and Nutritional Management |
|
| 3:05 - 3:15 p.m. | Break | |||
| 3:15 - 4 p.m. | Getting Started in the NICU: Parenteral Nutrition Use and Calculations |
| Intestinal Failure in the NICU |
|
| 4 - 4:15 p.m. | Break | |||
| 4:15 - 5 p.m. | Getting Started in the NICU: Putting it all together with case studies |
| Discharge and NICU Follow-up | Laura Lucas, RD |
| 5 - 5:10 p.m. | Closing remarks from Amy Hair, M.D. | |||
| Time | Activity | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 9 - 9:15 a.m. | Welcome Day Two | Amy Hair, M.D. |
| 9:15 - 10 a.m. | Fortification Practices in United States | Ariel Salas, M.D. |
| 10 - 10:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:15 - 11 a.m. | Fortification Practices in European Countries | Nick Embelton, M.D. |
| 11 - 11:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:15 - 12:15 p.m. | Hot, Cold and Freez(dry)ing: Ten questions (and answers) about human milk processing | Sharon Groh-Wargo, Ph.D., RD |
| 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. | Expert Panel Morning Sessions |
|
| 1:15 - 1:30 p.m. | Break | |
| 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | GI Development and Reflux in the Neonatal Population | Geoff Preidis, M.D. |
| 2:30 - 2:40 p.m. | Break | |
| 2:40 - 3:25 p.m. | Zinc, Cu, Iron in the Neonate | Steve Abrams, M.D. |
| 3:25 - 3:35 p.m. | Break | |
| 3:35 - 4:20 p.m. | Defining best practice for parenteral nutrition in the neonatal ICU | Daniel Robinson, M.D. |
| 4:20 - 4:30 p.m. | Break | |
| 4:30 - 5 p.m. | Expert Panel Afternoon Sessions |
|
| Time | Activity | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 9 - 9:15 a.m. | Welcome | Amy Hair, M.D. |
| 9:15 - 10 a.m. | Infant formulas: What are the challenges in revising nutrient content, regulatory approval and limiting unhelpful marketing practices | Steve Abrams, M.D. |
| 10 - 10:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:15 - 11 a.m. | Ethics in the NICU: Walking in Their Shoes | Joseph Garcia-Prats, M.D. |
| 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Engaging Muslim Parents Who Refuse Donor Breast Milk on Religious Grounds | Frank Placencia, M.D. |
| 11:45 - 11:55 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:55 - 12:40 p.m. | Optimizing Mother’s Own Milk in the NICU |
|
| 12:40 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | What's new with neonatal growth and growth charts | Tanis Fenton Ph.D., RD |
| 1:45 - 2 p.m. | Break | |
| 2 - 3 p.m. | Feeding the forgotten preemie-best practice in nutrition for moderate and late preterm infants | Catherine Buck, M.D. |
| 3 - 3:10 p.m. | Break | |
| 3:10 - 3:55 p.m. | Neonatal Malnutrition: Bridging Knowledge Gaps and Assessing Diagnostic Criteria | Stephanie Merlino Barr Ph.D., RDN |
| 3:55 - 4 p.m. | Wrap Up Closing Remarks | Amy Hair, M.D. |
Needs Statement
The impact of nutrition on the growth and development of preterm infants is increasingly recognized, with evidence showing that inadequate early nutrition can have lasting negative effects on long-term outcomes. Despite clear guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), which emphasize fetal nutrient retention and functional normalcy, many premature infants continue to experience suboptimal growth compared to in utero peers. Unique challenges in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), including altered metabolic conditions and the influence of social determinants of health, further complicate nutritional management. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ professionals caring for these vulnerable infants require up-to-date knowledge and skills in parenteral and enteral nutrition, management of complex cases, use of human milk, and post-NICU nutrition, as well as competence in applying new growth charts and addressing the needs of late preterm infants. There is also a need to enhance performance in human milk fortification, malnutrition management, and culturally competent family support. Addressing these educational needs through multidisciplinary collaboration, regular audit, and evidence-based resources is essential to optimize both short- and long-term outcomes for premature infants.
Target Audience
This activity is designed for physicians, fellows, residents, medical students, advanced practice providers, nurses, neonatal dietitians and other healthcare providers.
Educational Methods
Lectures, panel discussion, small group breakout session.
Activity Evaluation
Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation and possible bias.