NMH

179 NMH | 2024 179 Health and Social Care Professionals T he Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics provides a dietetic service for patients under the care of maternity, neonatal and gynecology services. This service is delivered using telehealth (phone and video) and in-person consultation and classes as appropriate, and incorporates relevant technology to support a range of nutritional interventions for women and babies. Our Dietetic Assistant (Sarah Browne) moderates online classes and groups, supports dietetic interventions in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics multidisciplinary clinics, assists with data management and implements health promotion activities for pregnancy and for NMH staff through Healthy Ireland. Our Administrator, (Helen McCrimmon) also supports the diabetes service and coordinates Healthy Ireland activities. Our first UCD BSc Human Nutrition students completed their 3rd year 10 month practice placement and research projects with the Department in June (Katie Caffrey and Mia Grehan), and a further 2 began in September (Ailbhe Harrington and Anna Moran). Two MSc Dietetics students were supervised on their clinical practice placement in Oct\ Nov. Sinéad O'Donovan finished her contract as Entry Grade Dietitian in December 2024 and we thank her for her contribution and wish her well in future endeavors. Maternity, Diabetes, Gynecology Despite changes in activity overall in recent years, a notable theme for our service in 2024 was the complexity of cases referred and the high proportion of women requiring dietetic input during pregnancy. This resulted in 2,369 unique patients consulting with a dietitian which is comparable with 2023 data (n=2,306) (Chart 1) Complexity increases the intervention rate and activity increased accordingly by 16% over 2023 figures, to 6,671 contacts. (Table 1) High BMI, obesity or excessive weight gain was a significant reason for referral to our service. (Table 2) Attendance rates improved over 2023 figures, and there was an increase in the numbers of women referred with a BMI >40kg/m2 and >50kg/ m2. Pregnancy post bariatric surgery (n=47 new patients) remained a priority alongside other complex conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. A number of women were referred having conceived while on GLP-1 inhibitors such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy). This is a new development and the impact of these drugs on pregnancy is as yet unknown. In March, Sarah Louise Killeen co-ordinated a multidisciplinary symposium at the NMH on Caring for Women with Obesity in conjunction with the Association for the Study of Obesity in Ireland (ASOI) and the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO), with an emphasis on addressing obesity stigma. We also saw an increased number of women referred due to low BMI or inadequate weight gain (n=105), with a high proportion of those being for weight <50kg (n= 52/105) at time of referral. Niamh Gilmartin, Senior Dietitian in the Iris Clinic which supports patients with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

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