The Practice of Enteral Nutrition: Clinical Evidence for Feeding Protocols

Ariel A Salas1, Colm P Travers1

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1700 6th Avenue South Women & Infants Center Suite 9380, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.

PubMed

Insights

Establishing full enteral nutrition in preterm infants is difficult. Randomized trials show early feeding interventions are feasible and effective for critical care, with further research into higher volumes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

  • Critically ill preterm infants often have immature gastrointestinal function, making nutrition delivery challenging.
  • Establishing full enteral nutrition is crucial for growth and development but difficult to achieve.
  • Immature gut function in preterm neonates poses significant challenges for nutritional support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging clinical evidence on feeding interventions for early full enteral nutrition in preterm infants.
  • To examine outcomes of higher volume feedings post-establishment of full enteral nutrition.
  • To present future research opportunities in neonatal nutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on data exclusively from randomized clinical trials.
  • Systematic review of feeding interventions targeting early full enteral nutrition.
  • Analysis of trial outcomes related to feeding volumes.

Main Results:

  • Randomized clinical trials suggest feeding interventions can facilitate early full enteral nutrition.
  • Evidence indicates feasibility and efficacy of these targeted interventions.
  • Outcomes of higher volume feedings are also examined.

Conclusions:

  • Early establishment of full enteral nutrition is feasible and effective in critically ill preterm infants.
  • Targeted feeding strategies improve nutritional delivery.
  • Further research is warranted to optimize feeding protocols.

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