Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
06:19

Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development

Published on: April 19, 2024

825

Noninvasive Ventilation and Rapid Enteral Feeding Advances in Preterm Infants-2-Year Follow-Up of the STENA-Cohort

Judith Behnke1,2, Vanessa Estreich3, Frank Oehmke4

  • 1Department General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Justus Liebig University and Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, 35392 Giessen, Germany.

Nutrients
|March 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Rapid enteral feeding advances (STENA) in very-low-birthweight infants improved head circumference growth by age two. This feeding strategy demonstrated safety for long-term somatic growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Optimal nutrition is crucial for very-low-birthweight infants' somatic growth and neurodevelopment.
  • Established medical strategies aim to reduce long-term morbidities in this vulnerable population.
  • Previous studies indicated rapid enteral feeding advances (STENA) reduced parenteral nutrition duration and mechanical ventilation needs, while improving growth at 36 weeks gestation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term (2-year) psychomotor outcomes and somatic growth in very-low-birthweight infants following the standardized rapid enteral feeding advances protocol (STENA).
  • To assess the sustained effects of STENA on neurodevelopmental indices and physical growth parameters up to two years of corrected age.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study followed 218 very-low-birthweight infants (74.4% of the original cohort) for 2 years.
  • Somatic growth parameters (weight, length, head circumference) were assessed using Z-scores.
  • Psychomotor development was evaluated using the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI).

Main Results:

  • Head circumference Z-scores showed a statistically significant benefit of STENA persisting until 2 years of age (p = 0.034).
  • No significant differences were observed in weight or length Z-scores between groups at 2 years.
  • There were no statistically significant differences in MDI (p = 0.738) or PDI (p = 0.122) at 2 years of age.

Conclusions:

  • The standardized rapid enteral feeding advances protocol (STENA) demonstrates sustained benefits for head circumference growth in very-low-birthweight infants up to 2 years.
  • STENA is confirmed as a safe nutritional strategy, showing no adverse effects on long-term somatic growth (weight, length) or psychomotor development.
  • These findings support the continued use of rapid enteral feeding protocols to optimize outcomes for very-low-birthweight infants.

Keywords:
enteral feeding advancesneurodevelopmental outcomenoninvasive ventilationnutritionvery low birthweight infants

More Related Videos

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats04:27

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats

Published on: May 4, 2020

5.7K
Normothermic Negative Pressure Ventilation Ex Situ Lung Perfusion: Evaluation of Lung Function and Metabolism09:31

Normothermic Negative Pressure Ventilation Ex Situ Lung Perfusion: Evaluation of Lung Function and Metabolism

Published on: February 14, 2022

2.2K

Related Concept Videos

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
235
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
411
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) are essential methods in respiratory care. These ventilation techniques offer unique benefits for patients with various respiratory conditions, providing adequate support without requiring intubation. Let's explore how each method is crucial in improving patient outcomes and enhancing respiratory therapy.
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...
167
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation

Ventilators are essential medical equipment used to aid patients with respiratory difficulties. Their primary function is to assist or replace spontaneous breathing by providing mechanical ventilation. There are two general classes of mechanical ventilators: negative-pressure and positive-pressure ventilators.
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
192
Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management01:17

Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management

Endotracheal intubation is a critical procedure that can be lifesaving for many patients with respiratory distress or failure. The role of nursing in managing endotracheal tubes is pivotal, as it involves pre-intubation preparation, assisting during the procedure, and post-extubation care.
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
933
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management01:26

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management

Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
129