Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

[The enteral feeds in very low birthweight infants]

Mei Dong1, Dan-hua Wang, Guo-fang Ding

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.

Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Pediatrics
|February 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Early enteral feeding for very low birthweight infants (VLBWI) improves gut motility. Initiating trophic feeding within 6 days, with gradual volume increases, enhances feeding tolerance and gastrointestinal maturation in VLBWI.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Nutrition

Context:

  • Enteral feeding is crucial for very low birthweight infants (VLBWI).
  • Feeding intolerance is a common complication in VLBWI, impacting growth and outcomes.
  • Understanding risk factors for feeding intolerance is essential for optimizing care.

Purpose:

  • To investigate clinical characteristics of enteral feeding in VLBWI.
  • To identify risk factors associated with feeding intolerance.
  • To analyze beneficial factors for improving gut motility and maturation.

Summary:

  • This study analyzed 38 VLBWI, comparing feeding tolerance and intolerance groups.
  • Feeding intolerance occurred in 55% of infants. Significant risk factors included lower gestational age, umbilical catheterization, theophylline therapy, and delayed first feeding.
  • Early trophic feeding (within 6 days), gradual volume increases, and bowel management strategies were recommended.

Impact:

  • Provides evidence for early initiation of enteral feeding in stable VLBWI.
  • Highlights key risk factors for feeding intolerance, enabling proactive management.
  • Offers strategies to enhance gastrointestinal maturation and feeding tolerance in vulnerable infants.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route01:18

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
Drugs in...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Routes of Drug Administration: Enteral01:18

Routes of Drug Administration: Enteral

Medications can be administered through the enteral route using liquids, capsules, or tablets.
Enteral administration involves drug administration via the mouth in two ways: orally or sublingually.
Unlike sublingually drugs, drugs that are taken orally pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and get metabolized by the liver. Once metabolized, the drug is absorbed into the systemic circulation, reaching different body parts via the bloodstream. However, while passing through the stomach,...