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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

A Piglet Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Published on: May 16, 2015
Enteral Feeding as an Adjunct to Hypothermia in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Lilly L Chang1, James L Wynn1, Marisa J Pacella1
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Background:
Withholding enteral feedings during hypothermia lacks supporting evidence.
Objectives:
We aimed to determine if minimal enteral nutrition (MEN) during hypothermia in patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was associated with a reduced duration of parenteral nutrition, time to full oral feeds, and length of stay, but would not be associated with increased systemic inflammation or feeding complications.
Methods:
We performed a pilot, retrospective, matched case-control study within the Florida Neonatal Neurologic Network from December 2012 to May 2016 of patients who received MEN during hypothermia (n = 17) versus those who were not fed (n = 17). Length of stay, feeding-related outcomes, and brain injury identified by MRI were compared. Serum inflammatory mediators were measured at 0-6, 24, and 96 h of life by multiplex assay. MRI were scored using the Barkovich system.
Results:
MEN subjects had a reduced length of hospital stay (mean 15 ± 11 vs. 24 ± 19 days, p < 0.05), days receiving parenteral nutrition (7 ± 2 vs. 11 ± 6, p < 0.05), and time to full oral feeds (8 ± 5 vs. 18 ± 18, p < 0.05). MEN was associated with a significantly reduced serum IL-12p70 at 24 and 96 h (p < 0.05). Brain MRI scores were not significantly different between groups.
Conclusion:
MEN during hypothermia was associated with a reduced length of stay and time to full feeds, but did not increase feeding complications or systemic inflammation.
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