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Early Serum Gut Hormone Concentrations Associated With Time to Full Enteral Feedings in Preterm Infants

Kristen H Shanahan1,2, Xinting Yu3, Laura G Miller4

  • 1Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|April 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Early gut hormone levels, specifically glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and peptide YY (PYY), in preterm infants predict how soon they can tolerate full enteral feedings. Nutritional intake does not fully explain this gut hormone effect.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Preterm infants often experience feeding difficulties.
  • Gut hormones play a crucial role in gastrointestinal function and feeding tolerance.
  • Predicting time to full enteral feedings is vital for optimizing neonatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess early postnatal serum gut hormone concentrations as predictors of time to full enteral feedings in preterm infants.
  • To identify infant characteristics and nutritional factors influencing gut hormone levels and feeding progression.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 64 preterm infants (<30 weeks gestation).
  • Measurement of serum gut hormone concentrations (GIP, PYY) on postnatal days 0 and 7 via ELISA.
  • Statistical analyses including linear regression and mediation analysis.

Main Results:

  • Serum concentrations of GIP and PYY on postnatal day 7 were significantly associated with days to full enteral feedings (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively).
  • Nutritional intake correlated with day 7 GIP and PYY levels and time to full enteral feedings.
  • Mediation analysis indicated that nutritional intake did not fully explain the relationship between gut hormones and feeding progression.

Conclusions:

  • Serum GIP and PYY concentrations on postnatal day 7 are independent predictors of time to full enteral feedings in preterm infants.
  • Gut hormones influence feeding tolerance through mechanisms beyond nutritional intake.
  • Factors like intrauterine growth restriction and mechanical ventilation prolonged time to full enteral feedings.
Abstract

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