Preoperative trophic feeds in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

The aim of this is study is to determine if preoperative trophic feeds (TFs) can improve outcomes after Norwood palliation.

This is a retrospective cohort study.

The setting is a pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital.

The patients were 50 consecutive patients with hypoplastic left heart, excluding 5 patients with prematurity or other significant comorbidities. Thirty-one patients that received preoperative TFs (20-30 mL/kg) were compared with 14 that remained nothing by mouth. Decision to initiate feeds was based on attending preference. All patients had protocolized feeds postoperatively, with initiation via transpyloric tube when patient was on minimal inotropes.

Demographic, feeding, and other clinical outcome data were collected retrospectively from the patient medical record.

There were no differences in demographics or preoperative risk factors (mechanical ventilation and lowest pH) between the two groups. Overall survival to discharge was 78% (25/31 TF, 10/14 nothing by mouth, P = .7). Neonates receiving TFs had less fluid administration in the cardiovascular operating room (P = .002), a more negative 48-hour postoperative fluid balance (P = .03), and median 3 days shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .006). Trophic feeds patients also had a nonsignificant trend toward lower peak lactic acid (P = .06), lower inotropic score (P = .15), shorter hospital length of stay (P = .19), and faster time to tolerance of full enteral and oral feeds by 3 and 8 days, respectively (P = .06 and .01). There were no episodes of necrotizing enterocolitis in either group.

Preoperative TFs before Norwood palliation appear safe and are associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, a trend toward more stable postoperative hemodynamics, less fluid overload, and earlier postoperative feeding tolerance.