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Bowel habits in the first 24 months of life: preterm- versus term-born infants

N Bekkali1, F M Moesker, L Van Toledo

  • 1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. N.Bekkali@amc.nl

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|July 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Term and preterm infants show similar bowel movement frequency from week two to 24 months. Breastfed infants had more frequent stools than formula-fed infants in the initial weeks.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric gastroenterology
  • Infant nutrition

Background:

  • Prospective studies on infant feeding and bowel habits are needed.
  • Understanding term vs. preterm infant development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe and compare feeding and bowel habits.
  • To analyze data from birth to 24 months in term and preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • 199 infants (126 preterm) aged 25-42 weeks gestation were studied.
  • Bowel diaries recorded at 1-2 weeks, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.
  • Exclusion criteria: GI surgery, neurological, metabolic, or congenital diseases.

Main Results:

  • Feeding frequency decreased in both groups over time.
  • Breastfed infants had more defecations than formula-fed infants in weeks 1-2.
  • Term infants had higher defecation frequency than preterm infants only in week 1.

Conclusions:

  • Defecation frequency is comparable between term and preterm infants from week 2 to 24 months.
  • Early differences in defecation frequency were observed.
Abstract

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