Feeding Intolerance among Preterm Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Tertiary Care Centre: A

Pawana Kayastha1, Sabina Shrestha1, Ashish Subba1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Insights

Feeding intolerance affects 38.18% of premature infants, a significant prevalence linked to prematurity complications. This highlights the need for improved feeding strategies in neonatal intensive care units.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Premature infants often experience feeding intolerance, a condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
  • Breast milk is crucial for infant development and reducing mortality rates in vulnerable neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of feeding intolerance in premature neonates admitted to a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and May 2022.
  • Data were collected from 55 preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • Convenience sampling was employed, with point estimates and 95% Confidence Intervals calculated.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of feeding intolerance among the 55 preterm neonates was 38.18% (95% Confidence Interval: 25.34-51.02).

Conclusions:

  • The study identified a high prevalence of feeding intolerance in preterm neonates.
  • This prevalence was notably higher compared to findings in similar research settings.
  • The results underscore the challenges associated with feeding premature infants and potential areas for intervention.
Abstract

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