Transduodenal feedings: a superior route of enteral nutrition

Our recent study comparing gastric with jejunal feedings in neonatal piglets demonstrated better weight gain, less diarrhea, and less fat malabsorption in animals fed gastrically. These differences were postulated to be due either to loss of duodenal osmoregulation and absorption, and/or to loss of the combined effects of salivary enzymes, gastric emptying, and gastric secretions on jejunal feedings. The objective of this investigation was to determine the relative contributions of gastric and duodenal function to the differences between gastric and jejunal feedings. Seven piglets (3 to 5 days old, 1.5 to 2.0 kg) underwent operative transgastric insertion of a duodenostomy tube placed just distal to the pylorus. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics were administered for two days postoperatively, then Premature Enfamil Formula (24 kcal/oz; Mead Johnson, Evansville, IN) was administered continuously through the feeding tube. The animals were maintained on 115 kcal/kg/d as in the previous study. Weight, fecal fat analysis, and stool characteristics were determined throughout the 2-week period. The resulting data were compared with data from our previous study comparing gastric with jejunal feedings. These data suggest the vital importance of gastroduodenal contributions of absorption, osmoregulation, and regulation of nutrient concentrations in improving the nutritional status of experimental animals. Duodenal feedings may be preferred to either gastric or jejunal feedings because they provide equivalent nutritional support without the gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration reported with gastric feedings in the neonatal population.