Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Feeding intolerance, inflammation, and neurobehaviors in preterm infants
Tiffany A Moore1, Rita H Pickler2
1Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha.
Insights
Feeding intolerance (FI) in preterm infants is linked to higher inflammatory markers like IL6 and poorer neurodevelopmental scores. This suggests an immature nervous system and physiologic dysregulation contribute to FI.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental neuroscience
- Pediatric gastroenterology
Background:
- Feeding intolerance (FI) is a common challenge in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Early identification of factors contributing to FI is crucial for optimizing infant outcomes.
- Understanding the interplay between inflammation and neurodevelopment in preterm infants is an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between feeding intolerance (FI) and inflammatory markers in the first week of life.
- To examine the association between FI and early neurodevelopmental assessments in preterm infants.
- To provide insights for NICU clinicians regarding assessments for infants at risk of FI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, matched case-control study design.
- Inclusion of 114 infants born at or before 32 weeks gestation.
- Analysis of inflammatory markers (cytokines, IL6) and neurodevelopmental scores.
Main Results:
- Eight infants developed feeding intolerance before achieving full enteral feedings.
- Infants with FI exhibited dysregulated cytokine levels, particularly IL6.
- Lower neurodevelopmental scores were observed in infants with FI compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Physiologic dysregulation and immature nervous systems appear to contribute to feeding intolerance in preterm infants.
- The brain-gut-immune axis may play a significant role in FI and other gastrointestinal complications.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate these complex relationships in the neonatal population.
Purpose:
Identifying relationships between feeding intolerance (FI), inflammation, and early measures of neurodevelopment may provide the basis for clinically relevant assessments for NICU clinicians and staff. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the relationship of FI to inflammatory markers and/or neurobehaviors in the first week of life.
Methods:
This was a retrospective, matched case-control design with data drawn from 114 infants born at ≤32 weeks gestation.
Results:
Eight infants developed FI prior to full enteral feedings. These infants were more likely to have dysregulated levels of cytokines, specifically IL6, and lower neurodevelopmental scores compared to infants without FI.
Conclusions:
Results suggest physiologic dysregulation and an immature nervous system may contribute to the phenomenon of FI in preterm infants. Further research to identify the role of the brain-gut-immune axis on FI and other GI complications in this population is warranted.
More Related Videos
08:50A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
07:36Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
