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The Effect of Intermittent and Continuous Feeding on Growth and Discharge Time in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm

Melek Selalmaz1, Gulzade Uysal2, Umut Zubarioglu1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Sisli Etfal Hastanesi Tip Bulteni
|May 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Continuous and intermittent bolus feeding show no significant differences in growth or discharge times for very low birth weight infants. However, necrotizing enterocolitis developed earlier with intermittent feeding.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Optimizing feeding strategies for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is crucial for their development and hospital outcomes.
  • Intermittent bolus feeding and continuous feeding are two common methods, each with potential benefits and drawbacks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of intermittent bolus feeding versus continuous feeding on early growth and hospital discharge timing in VLBW infants.
  • To assess the incidence and timing of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in VLBW infants under different feeding regimens.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized, controlled study involving 80 VLBW infants (birth weight <1500 g).
  • Infants were randomized to receive either intermittent bolus feeding or continuous feeding.
  • Key outcomes including growth parameters, time to reach birth weight, feeding tolerance, mechanical ventilation duration, and NEC development were compared.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, gestational age, birth weight, height, head circumference, time to regain birth weight, maximum weight loss, parenteral feeding duration, or time to full enteral/oral feeding between the groups.
  • Hospitalization time in the intensive care unit and duration of mechanical ventilation were also comparable.
  • While not statistically significant, Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Stage I and II developed in 34.1% of the continuous feeding group and 28.2% of the intermittent group, with onset occurring earlier in the intermittent group (2.8 days vs. 4.5 days).

Conclusions:

  • Neither continuous nor intermittent bolus feeding significantly impacted growth parameters or discharge times in VLBW infants.
  • Although NEC development rates were similar, the intermittent bolus feeding model was associated with an earlier onset of NEC.
Abstract

Keywords:
Continuous feedingintermittent feedingvery low birth weight preterm baby

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