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The Effect of a Chronobiological Feeding Model on Growth Parameters and Length of Hospitalization in Preterm Infants:
Ebru Temizsoy1, Gülzade Uysal2, Nilgün Karadag3
1Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Chrononutrition, a feeding model aligned with biological clocks, significantly improved weight gain and reduced hospital stays for preterm infants. This approach enhances growth parameters and shortens the time to discharge for vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Nutritional Science
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Preterm infants require precise nutrition shortly after birth.
- Circadian rhythms, regulated by internal cycles, influence biological processes.
- Human milk composition varies cyclically, suggesting a role for timing in infant nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a chronobiological feeding model on preterm infant growth.
- To assess the effect of chrononutrition on hospital discharge time in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- Preterm infants were assigned to either a chrononutrition group or a standard feeding group.
- Data on growth parameters and hospitalization duration were collected via infant follow-up forms.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in demographic or initial growth parameters were observed between groups.
- Infants in the chrononutrition group showed statistically significant higher weight gain and percentile measurements at discharge.
- The study group experienced significantly shorter times to full enteral feeding, hospitalization, and overall discharge.
Conclusions:
- The chronobiological feeding model positively influenced anthropometric measurements and percentile gains in preterm infants.
- Chrononutrition led to a notable reduction in the length of hospital stay for preterm infants.
- Timing nutrition according to the infant's biological clock may be a superior feeding strategy for preterm neonates.
Abstract:
Background and Purpose: Preterm infants are born before the 37th gestational week and need prompt nutrition. The circadian rhythm is an internal 24-hour cycle regulated by endogenous molecules. Human milk contains different biological peptides at different times within this cycle. Chrononutrition is a feeding model that is adjusted to match the biological clock of the individual. This study tests chrononutrition as a superior feeding model in preterm infants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the chronobiological feeding model on growth parameters and discharge time among preterm infants. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between October 2021 and March 2022, randomized preterm infants to receive either chrononutrition (study group = 45) or standard feeding (control group = 46), and used the infant's follow-up form for data collection. Results: Among 91 neonates, the median gestational age was 33 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2,100 g. Demographic findings and growth parameters showed no difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Weight gain and percentile measurements at discharge were statistically significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively). Discharge time was statistically significantly lower after full enteral feeding and hospitalization time was shorter in the study group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The chronobiological feeding model showcased significant positive effects on anthropometrics and percentile measurements at discharge and led to a 2-day reduction in the length of hospital stay.
