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Continuous feeding promotes gastrointestinal tolerance and growth in very low birth weight infants

Ann Dsilna1, Kyllike Christensson, Lars Alfredsson

  • 1Division of Reproductive and Perinatal Health Care and Neonatal Research Unit, Department of Women and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Dsilna@kbh.ki.se

The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Continuous feeding significantly improves gastrointestinal tolerance and growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants compared to intermittent feeding methods. This approach helps VLBW infants reach full enteral feeding faster, especially the smallest ones.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Premature Infant Care

Background:

  • Optimizing nutrition is critical for the growth and development of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  • Gastrointestinal tolerance and feeding methods significantly impact outcomes in premature neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of continuous versus intermittent feeding strategies.
  • To evaluate the impact on gastrointestinal tolerance and growth in VLBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 70 premature infants (gestational age 24-29 weeks, birth weight < 1200 g).
  • Infants were assigned to continuous nasogastric, intermittent nasogastric, or intermittent orogastric feeding.
  • Key outcomes included time to full enteral feeding, growth rates, and enteral intolerance.

Main Results:

  • Continuous feeding led to significantly faster achievement of full enteral feeding (HR = 1.86).
  • The benefit was more pronounced in infants with birth weight ≤ 850 g (adjusted HR = 4.13).
  • Continuously fed infants exhibited significantly faster growth rates (P = .002).

Conclusions:

  • Continuous feeding appears superior to intermittent feeding for VLBW infants.
  • This method enhances gastrointestinal tolerance and promotes better growth in premature neonates.
Abstract

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