Treating feeding intolerance with an enteral solution patterned after human amniotic fluid: a randomized, controlled,...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal intensive care
• Gastroenterology
• Pediatric nutrition

Background:

• Feeding intolerance is a prevalent issue in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
• Atrophic changes in the small bowel mucosa may contribute to feeding intolerance in some neonates.
• Amniotic fluid contains growth factors that support fetal intestinal development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of oral enterocyte growth factors in improving feeding tolerance in neonates.
• To assess the impact of a sterile, isotonic solution patterned after amniotic fluid on neonatal feeding intolerance.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, controlled, masked trial involving 20 neonates with feeding intolerance.
• Participants were assigned to receive either a test solution with enterocyte growth factors or a sham administration.
• The study outcome measured was enteral calories/kg/day during and after treatment.

Main Results:

• The test solution group showed a trend toward increased enteral calories compared to the sham group (78+/-20.8 vs. 55.9+/-33 cal/k/day).
• Recipients of the test solution also trended towards fewer formula changes.
• The study was a small, masked trial, suggesting a need for larger efficacy studies.

Conclusions:

• Oral administration of enterocyte growth factors may enhance feeding tolerance in neonates.
• Further phase III efficacy trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
• The growth factor solution shows promise as a therapeutic option for neonatal feeding intolerance.