Does patent ductus arteriosus affect feed tolerance in preterm neonates?

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Critical Care

Background:

• Feed intolerance is a common complication in preterm neonates.
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and sepsis are recognized risk factors for feeding issues in this population.
• Understanding the combined impact of PDA and sepsis on feeding progression is crucial for optimizing neonatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), sepsis, and the time to achieve full enteral feedings in preterm neonates.
• To compare the feeding intervals across different combinations of PDA and sepsis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of preterm neonates' feeding data.
• Categorization of neonates based on the presence or absence of sepsis and PDA.
• Measurement of the interval from the start of feeds to achieving full enteral feeding volumes.

Main Results:

• Preterm neonates (
• Neonates with both sepsis and PDA had a shorter feeding interval compared to those with sepsis alone, but longer than those with PDA alone.
• Neonates with PDA alone showed the shortest delay in reaching full feeds among the studied groups.

Conclusions:

• Sepsis is a primary driver of delayed feeding progression in extremely preterm infants.
• The presence of PDA modifies the impact of sepsis on feeding intolerance, with sepsis posing a greater challenge.
• Clinical management should prioritize addressing sepsis and its complications to improve nutritional support in vulnerable preterm neonates.