Bolus vs. continuous feeding to optimize anabolism in neonates

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition
• Gastroenterology
• Metabolic research

Background:

• Neonates with feeding difficulties often require orogastric tube feeding.
• Both continuous and bolus feeding methods are utilized.
• Optimal feeding strategies for neonatal protein anabolism remain an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on the comparative efficacy of continuous versus bolus orogastric feeding.
• To determine the impact of feeding patterns on neonatal protein anabolism.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent studies, including those utilizing the piglet as a model for human neonates.
• Analysis of protein synthesis and deposition in response to different feeding patterns.
• Investigation of underlying molecular signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• Bolus feeding enhances protein synthesis and deposition more effectively than continuous feeding.
• Increased protein synthesis is observed in various muscle types and visceral tissues.
• Muscle protein degradation is not significantly affected by feeding pattern.

Conclusions:

• Bolus feeding promotes greater protein anabolism in neonates compared to continuous feeding.
• The enhanced response is attributed to pulsatile increases in amino acids and insulin, activating translation initiation.
• Bolus feeding represents a potentially advantageous method for supporting neonatal growth and development.