Baxter Launches NUMETA G13%E Preterm: Only Ready-to-Use IV Nutrition for Vulnerable Preterm Newborns in UK at Risk for Malnutrition
Each year over 61,000 babies are born prematurely
NUMETA G13%E Preterm is the only approved, commercially prepared IV nutrition product available for preterm newborns in a triple-chamber system pioneered by Baxter
COMPTON, UK -
Baxter Healthcare Ltd, a leader in parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy, announced the launch of NUMETA G13%E Preterm 300 mL, the only ready-to-use intravenous PN product available to treat preterm infants (less than 37 weeks gestation age) who are at high risk for infection and malnutrition1 in the early hours and days of their lives. The British Association of Perinatal Medicine recommend that PN be routinely available for infants born before 30 completed weeks' gestation (i.e. up to and including 29 weeks and 6 days), and for all infants weighing < 1250 g at birth.
NUMETA G13%E Preterm is indicated for PN administration in preterm newborn infants when oral or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated. NUMETA G13%E Preterm addresses an important medical need to support preterm neonatal patients who have acute nutritional requirements by providing a balanced formulation of amino acids (protein), glucose (carbohydrates), lipids (fats) and electrolytes in a triple-chamber system that was pioneered by Baxter.
"Preterm babies – among the most vulnerable patients – represent 8.7% of newborns in the UK each year and often have special medical needs, including nutritional therapy in the early days of their lives," said Becky White, Baxter's Medical Manager. Baxter's NUMETA G13%E Preterm was designed to meet those nutritional needs with a well-balanced, ready-to-use formula in a triple-chamber system that simplifies the preparation process for healthcare providers and helps reduce the potential risk to preterm patients of infection and dosing errors."
NUMETA G13%E Preterm is designed for activation and administration at the bedside. Research indicates ready-to-use PN may reduce the potential risk of medication errors and associated infections.2 NUMETA G13%E Preterm was reformulated to meet the current paediatric nutritional guidelines developed by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and ESPEN (The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism).
Baxter’s NUMETA G13%E Preterm received Marketing Authorisation from the Competent Authorities in the UK in April 2016. Baxter offers additional pediatric triple-chamber PN solutions in the UK, including NUMETA G16%E 500mL for term infants and toddlers (term infants through two years of age); and NUMETA G19%E 1,000mL for children and adolescents (2-18 years of age).
Important Risk Information
The general contraindications for administering NUMETA as an activated two-chamber container system (with the lipid chamber inactivated for intravenous infusion) are as follows: hypersensitivity to egg, soy or peanut proteins, or to any of the active substances, excipients or components of the container; congenital abnormality of the amino acid metabolism; pathologically elevated plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and/or phosphorous; severe hyperglycemia; and concomitant treatment with ceftriaxone in newborns (<= 28 days of age), even if separate infusion lines are used.
The addition of lipids (administering NUMETA as an activated three-chamber container system for intravenous emulsion) is contraindicated in the following additional clinical situations: severe hyperlipidemia and severe disorders of lipid metabolism characterised by hypertriglyceridemia. Refer to the NUMETA Summary of Product Characteristics for full prescribing information.
About Baxter's Nutrition Business
Baxter has been assisting clinicians in treating patients' diverse nutrient needs since the 1940s, when the company first introduced liquid proteins in the form of amino acids. Since then, Baxter has continued to advance intravenous (IV) nutrition. As an example, Baxter pioneered the world's first "triple-chamber system" for IV nutrition, which provides many of the essential ingredients of balanced nutrition – protein, carbohydrates, lipids and electrolytes in a single container – simplifying the preparation of parenteral nutrition for patients. Today, Baxter provides one of the broadest PN portfolios globally, which includes premix IV solutions, vitamins and lipids, as well as pharmacy workflow management, labelling and compounding technology.
About Baxter Healthcare Ltd
Baxter provides a broad portfolio of essential renal and hospital products, including home, acute and in-centre dialysis; sterile IV solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition; biosurgery products and anaesthetics; and pharmacy automation, software and services. The company’s global footprint and the critical nature of its products and services play a key role in expanding access to healthcare in emerging and developed countries. Baxter’s employees worldwide are building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of healthcare innovations that enable patient care.
Baxter and NUMETA are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.
1Koletzko B, Goulet O, Hunt J, et al. ESPGHAN / ESPEN Guidelines on Paediatric Parenteral Nutrition. JPGN. 2005.
2Riskin A, Shiff Y, Shamir R. Parenteral Nutrition in Neonatology – To Standardize or Individualize? IMAJ 2006;8:641-645.