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Intravenous low-dose erythromycin administration for infants with feeding intolerance

K Nogami1, T Nishikubo, H Minowa

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Perinatal Medical Center, Nara Prefectural Hospital, 1-30-1 Hiramatsu-cho, Nara-City, Nara, 631-0846, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|December 12, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Low-dose intravenous erythromycin (EM) effectively treats feeding intolerance in infants, including premature babies. This safe treatment accelerates successful enteral feeding and improves digestive issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Infants, particularly premature neonates, frequently experience feeding intolerance.
  • Enteral feeding is crucial for infant growth and development.
  • Existing treatments for feeding intolerance have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose intravenous erythromycin (EM) for treating feeding intolerance in infants.
  • To compare the outcomes of infants receiving EM with a control group.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 26 infants with feeding intolerance was conducted.
  • Fourteen infants received intravenous EM (1 mg/kg, thrice daily, with dose increase if needed).
  • Twelve infants served as a non-EM control group.

Main Results:

  • EM group showed significant improvement in digestive issues and X-ray findings.
  • Successful enteral feeding started significantly earlier in the EM group (9.1 days vs. 14.0 days).
  • No adverse cardiac or blood effects were observed with EM treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous low-dose erythromycin is a safe and effective treatment for infant feeding intolerance.
  • This therapy is beneficial even for extremely low-birthweight infants.
  • EM facilitates earlier achievement of adequate enteral nutrition.
Abstract

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