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The efficacy of glycerin suppositories for preterm infants: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies
1Department of Neonatology, Wenzhou People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, The Wenzhou Third Clinical Institute Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Insights
Glycerin suppositories do not significantly impact full enteral feeds in preterm infants. However, they may increase the duration of phototherapy, suggesting limited benefits for these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- The efficacy of glycerin suppositories for promoting full enteral feeds in preterm infants is debated.
- This meta-analysis aimed to clarify the influence of glycerin suppositories on achieving full enteral feeds in preterm neonates.
Approach:
- A systematic search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library) was conducted up to February 2020.
- Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis, utilizing a random-effect model for data synthesis.
Key Points:
- Glycerin suppositories showed no significant effect on the time to achieve full enteral feeds (MD = -0.26, 95% CI = -1.16 to 0.65).
- There was no significant impact on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (OR = 3.62, 95% CI = 0.56-23.32) or mortality (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.40-5.40).
- A significant increase in the duration of phototherapy was observed (MD = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.43-0.57, P < .00001).
Conclusions:
- Glycerin suppositories do not appear to offer additional benefits for preterm infants regarding enteral feeding progression.
- The observed increase in phototherapy duration warrants consideration when evaluating the use of glycerin suppositories in this population.
Background:
The effect of glycerin suppositories on full enteral feeds remained controversial in preterm infants, and thus we conducted this meta-analysis to identify the influence of glycerin suppositories on full enteral feeds in preterm infants.
Methods:
The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD20214283090). We searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases through February 2020, and included randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of glycerin suppositories on full enteral feeds in preterm infants. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.
Results:
Six Randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group in preterm infants, glycerin suppositories demonstrated no significant effect on days to full enteral feeds (mean difference = -0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.16 to 0.65; P = .58), the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (odd ratio = 3.62; 95% CI = 0.56-23.32; P = .18) or death (odd ratio = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.40-5.40; P = .57), but may increase the days under phototherapy (mean difference = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.43-0.57; P < .00001). Only low heterogeneity was seen among all outcomes.
Conclusions:
Glycerin suppositories may provide no additional benefits to preterm infants.
