Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

Feeding interval and postprandial intestinal blood flow in premature infants

Kenichi Maruyama1, Toru Fujiu, Takahiro Inoue

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan. maruken@gcmc.pref.gunma.jp

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|April 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Investigating feeding intervals in premature infants, this study found that superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocity increased post-feeding. The volume of milk per feed may influence this increase in very-low-birthweight infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Gastrointestinal blood flow
  • Nutritional support

Background:

  • Enteral feeding is crucial for premature infants.
  • Feeding intervals significantly impact infant physiology.
  • Postprandial intestinal blood flow is a key indicator of digestive function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of 2-h vs. 3-h feeding intervals on postprandial superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocity.
  • To assess the relationship between milk volume and SMA blood flow response in very-low-birthweight infants.

Main Methods:

  • Pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound was used to measure SMA blood flow velocity.
  • Measurements were taken before and at multiple time points after feeding (15, 30, 45, 60 min).
  • Studies were conducted in stable very-low-birthweight infants at different postnatal ages.

Main Results:

  • SMA blood flow velocity increased significantly after feeding in both 2-h and 3-h feeding interval groups.
  • The peak increase in SMA blood flow velocity occurred at 30 min post-feeding in both groups.
  • A stronger correlation was observed between milk volume and postprandial SMA blood flow velocity increase in the 3-h interval group (P = 0.000).

Conclusions:

  • Postprandial SMA blood flow velocity increases following enteral feeding in premature infants.
  • The volume of milk per feed may play a role in modulating the postprandial increase in SMA blood flow velocity.
  • Feeding regimens should consider the volume of milk to optimize intestinal perfusion.
Abstract

Keywords:
blood flow velocityfeeding intervalpulsed wave Doppler ultrasoundsuperior mesenteric arteryvery-low-birthweight infant

More Related Videos

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers07:18

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers

Published on: January 9, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Intestinal Phase of Digestion01:29

Intestinal Phase of Digestion

The intestinal phase of digestion is the third and final stage of the digestive process, occurring after the cephalic and gastric phases. It begins when chyme, a partially digested mixture of food and digestive enzymes, enters the small intestine from the stomach. This phase is crucial for nutrient absorption and involves complex hormonal and enzymatic interactions.
The arrival of the chyme in the small intestine distends the duodenum, which triggers the enterogastric reflex. This distension...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...