Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
04:53

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

11.5K

A randomised trial of re-feeding gastric residuals in preterm infants

Ariel A Salas1, Alain Cuna2, Ramachandra Bhat3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|January 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Re-feeding gastric residual volumes in extremely preterm infants does not shorten the time to full enteral feeding. This practice may be as safe as fresh feeding, but more research is needed to confirm safety outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Enteral nutrition is crucial for preterm infant growth.
  • Gastric residual volumes (GRVs) are commonly monitored in preterm infants.
  • Current practices for managing large GRVs vary, with some centers re-feeding GRVs and others discarding them.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if re-feeding gastric residual volumes (GRVs) accelerates the achievement of full enteral feeding in extremely preterm infants.
  • To assess the safety of re-feeding GRVs compared to using fresh formula or human milk.

Main Methods:

  • A parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 1:1 allocation was conducted.
  • 72 preterm infants (gestational age 23-28 weeks) receiving minimal enteral nutrition were enrolled.
  • Infants were randomized to either re-feed large GRVs or receive fresh feeds.

Main Results:

  • The mean time to achieve full enteral feeding (≥120 mL/kg/day) was 10.0 days in the re-feeding group versus 11.3 days in the fresh-feeding group (p=0.11).
  • No statistically significant difference in time to full enteral feeding was observed.
  • The composite safety endpoint (intestinal perforation, necrotizing enterocolitis, or death) occurred in 17% of the re-feeding group and 28% of the fresh-feeding group (p=0.26).

Conclusions:

  • Re-feeding gastric residual volumes does not significantly reduce the time to achieve full enteral feeding in extremely preterm infants.
  • The study suggests re-feeding GRVs may be as safe as fresh feeding, but lacks statistical power for definitive safety conclusions.
  • Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm the safety of re-feeding GRVs.
Abstract

Keywords:
Infant FeedingNeonatology

More Related Videos

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings04:16

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings

Published on: February 7, 2025

1.0K
A Protocol for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Rats using Linear Staplers11:58

A Protocol for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Rats using Linear Staplers

Published on: August 21, 2021

6.1K

Related Concept Videos

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...
1.9K
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
2.8K
Gastric Emptying01:16

Gastric Emptying

Gastric emptying occurs when the stomach gradually releases chyme into the duodenum. When the stomach is distended, it triggers the release of gastrin, a hormone that promotes gastric acid secretion to aid in digestion. Additionally, stomach distension contributes to peristaltic waves that propel gastric contents toward the pyloric region. The gastroenteric reflex, on the other hand, primarily stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, facilitating the movement of contents further along the...
5.5K