Historical Perspectives and Clinical Updates on Preterm Bottle Feeding With Noninvasive Ventilation

Area of Science:

• Neonatal intensive care
• Pediatric respiratory support
• Infant feeding

Background:

• Oral feeding in preterm infants on noninvasive ventilation is complex due to pulmonary, neurologic, and gastrointestinal immaturity.
• Past research utilized animal models to understand noninvasive ventilation's impact on suck-swallow-breathe coordination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and benefits of oral feeding initiation and progression in preterm infants receiving noninvasive ventilation.
• To review evidence supporting early oral feeding to improve feeding milestones and reduce hospital stay.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing evidence and animal models concerning noninvasive ventilation and infant feeding coordination.
• Analysis of institutional protocols for assessing and managing oral feeding in ventilated preterm infants.

Main Results:

• Evidence supports the feasibility of oral feeding initiation and progression with high-flow nasal cannula and continuous positive airway pressure.
• Early oral feeding may accelerate feeding milestones and shorten hospitalizations.

Conclusions:

• Oral feeding is achievable for preterm infants on noninvasive ventilation, with potential benefits for development and discharge.
• Multidisciplinary protocols offer guidance for cautious evaluation and management of oral feeding in this population.