NMH

NMH | 2024 180 Health and Social Care Professionals Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder doubled as a reason for referral (n=33), separately from referrals for low BMI. These cases require sensitive, timely and comprehensive support, and close collaboration with the Perinatal Mental Health team is essential. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) support was provided by dietitians through the IRIS Day Clinic, and a successful weekly online group for women with Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP) has helped to manage the numbers of referrals more efficiently. HG remains a significant reason for referral. Service to the adolescent gynecology clinic and to adolescents attending the obstetric Daisy Clinic is prioritized due to the nutritional vulnerability of this age group, though numbers remained low. The team also continues to work closely with the Medical Social Work team to support women with complex social situations, such as homelessness, drug addiction those and seeking international protection. Women who develop Gestational Diabetes (GDM) need advice on dietary modification as their first line of treatment. It remains the most common reason for referral to dietetics (n=505). Evaluation of the service showed that 38% needed pharmacological treatment for GDM (n=195) which is higher than in previous years, and involved more comprehensive dietetic support. Dietetic data suggests that increasing BMI is a factor and an analysis of this will be presented in 2025. A higher number of women with type 2 diabetes booked with NMH than previously, and the use of wearable diabetes management devices increased in 2024, with more pregnant women with type 1 diabetes using advanced glucose monitors and insulin pumps (15/43). This area holds great potential for improvement in management of blood glucose control through appropriate use of technology and dietary interventions, but requires a high degree of professional skill to support. Further data is presented in the Diabetes report. We continue to work with antenatal education to support maternal nutrition through the Wellbeing in Pregnancy online classes, the NMH e-learning hub on the hospital website, via regular updates on our Instagram page @Hollestic and through our meal planning and recipe app, 'Hollestic', which is available to download free of charge. The app underwent a technical update in 2024 and remains popular, data indicating that it is widely used throughout Ireland, and as far afield as Australia and Canada. Neonatology The focus of dietetic attention continued to be on babies with complex nutritional needs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the majority of whom were born very preterm or with a very low birth weight or with other clinical issues affecting nutrition, feeding or growth. The total number of admissions to the NICU was 1,242 (1,167 first time admissions) which is an increase from 1,202 (1,028 first time admissions) in 2023. The dietetic team Sarah Browne, Dietetic Assistant, in the Telehub.

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