Early enteral nutrition in neonates with partial gastrectomy: a multi-center study

Compared with total parenteral nutrition (TPN), enteral nutrition is more suitable for patients post-operatively. Our aim was to determine the safety and feasibility of early enteral nutrition (EEN) using a jejunum feeding tube in neonates after undergoing a partial gastrectomy.

This was a retrospective review of 46 patients who underwent partial gastrectomies for gastric perforation in our hospital. These patients were categorized into two groups (EEN group [n=24 patients], a jejunal feeding tube was inserted during surgery; and a control group [n=22 patients], a jejunal feeding tube was not placed). Differences in operative time, time to first defecation post-operatively, time to first oral feeding post-operatively, length of hospital stay post-operatively, nutrition indices, and post-operative complications (died due to septic shock, cholestasis, pneumonia, abdominal distension, and diarrhea) were reviewed.

There were no significant differences in the operative time and the time to first oral feeding post-operatively between the two groups; however, the time to first defecation post-operatively in the EEN group and the hospital length of stay post-operatively for the EEN group were significantly shorter than the control group. The levels of albumin, retinol binding protein, and prealbumin were not significantly different between the two groups pre-operatively and 14 days postoperatively. The incidence of cholestasis and abdominal distention in the EEN group was significantly lower than the control group.

EEN using a jejunal feeding tube in neonates who have undergone a partial gastrectomy for gastric perforation is safe, easy, and has fewer complications than TPN.