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Comparison of 2-h versus 3-h enteral feeding in extremely low birth weight infants, commencing after birth

Mario Rüdiger1, Sandra Herrmann, Gerd Schmalisch

  • 1Medical University Innsbruck, Department for Pediatrics, Pädiatrie IV-Neonatologie, Austria. mario.ruediger@i-med.ac.at

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|April 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Feeding extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants every 2 hours, compared to 3 hours, shows similar weight gain and time to full enteral nutrition. However, 2-hour intervals may reduce the need for phototherapy and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Enteral nutrition is crucial for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
  • Feeding immaturity in ELBW infants presents challenges.
  • Current feeding interval practices lack comparative data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the outcomes of 2-hour versus 3-hour enteral feeding intervals in ELBW infants.
  • To evaluate the impact of feeding regimens on nutritional status and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study analyzing ELBW infant charts before and after a feeding regimen change from 2-hour to 3-hour intervals.
  • Inclusion of infants from January 1999 to July 2003.
  • Comparison of outcomes including time to complete enteral feeding, morbidity, length of stay, and growth parameters.

Main Results:

  • No statistical difference in median time to complete enteral feeding between 2-hour (26 days) and 3-hour (20 days) groups.
  • Similar rates of enteral morbidity (necrotizing enterocolitis, abdominal surgery, feeding intolerance), length of stay, and growth parameters.
  • Significantly longer duration of phototherapy and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support in the 3-hour feeding group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Both 2-hour and 3-hour enteral feeding regimens result in comparable weight gain and time to achieve full enteral nutrition in ELBW infants.
  • Evidence suggests a potential advantage of 2-hour feedings in reducing the duration of phototherapy and CPAP support.
  • Further research may be warranted to optimize feeding strategies for vulnerable ELBW populations.
Abstract

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