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Enteral feeding in prostaglandin-dependent neonates: is it a safe practice?
Lisa Willis1, Patti Thureen, Jonathan Kaufman
1Heart Institute, The Children's Hospital of Denver, University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA.
Insights
Early enteral feeding is safe for neonates with prostaglandin-dependent heart conditions, improving nutrition. This practice allows for timely nutritional support in vulnerable infants, preventing deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Prostaglandin-dependent cardiac lesions in neonates often lead to delayed enteral feeding.
- Delayed feeding can result in significant nutritional deficiencies in these vulnerable infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and feasibility of early enteral feeding in neonates with prostaglandin-dependent cardiac lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study design.
- Inclusion of 34 neonates receiving prostaglandin for cardiac lesions.
- Monitoring of feeding tolerance in infants initiated on early enteral feeds.
Main Results:
- 33 out of 34 neonates demonstrated successful feeding tolerance.
- Early enteral feeding was well-tolerated in the studied population.
Conclusions:
- Early enteral feeding is a safe and feasible practice for neonates with prostaglandin-dependent cardiac lesions.
- This approach can help mitigate nutritional deficiencies in this patient group.
Abstract:
In many centers presurgical term neonates with prostaglandin-dependent cardiac lesions experience nutritional deficiency because of postponed enteral feeds. We recently adopted early enteral feeding in these infants. This retrospective study demonstrates feeding tolerance in 33 of 34 neonates fed enterally while receiving prostaglandin, suggesting the safety of this practice.
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