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Effects of Infant-Driven Feeding on Feeding Outcomes and Growth in Preterm Infants Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive
1Author Affiliations: Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Drs Le, Tao, Lan, Wang, and Wang) and Department of Nursing (Dr Wu), Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei, Wuhan, China.
Insights
Infant-Driven Feeding (IDF) significantly improved feeding outcomes and safety in preterm infants (32-37 weeks gestation) in the NICU. This approach expedited oral feeding, reduced complications like vomiting and desaturations, and shortened hospital stays without hindering growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care
- Pediatric nutrition
- Infant development
Background:
- Preterm infants (32-37 weeks gestation) often face feeding challenges in the NICU.
- Standard feeding regimens may not optimize feeding outcomes or infant well-being.
- Infant-Driven Feeding (IDF) offers a potentially improved approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an Infant-Driven Feeding (IDF) protocol on feeding outcomes and growth.
- To compare IDF effectiveness against standard feeding regimens in preterm infants.
- To assess the safety and efficiency of IDF in the NICU setting.
Main Methods:
- An interventional study compared an IDF protocol (n=92) with a standard feeding regimen (n=88).
- Data collection occurred throughout 2022.
- Key feeding metrics, growth parameters, and complication rates were analyzed.
Main Results:
- IDF group showed higher oral milk intake per minute and faster achievement of full oral feeding.
- Shorter nasogastric tube indwelling time and length of hospital stay were observed in the IDF group.
- IDF reduced vomiting, oxygen desaturations, and milk choking incidents; weight gain on day 7 was significantly greater.
Conclusions:
- IDF protocol implementation significantly improved feeding outcomes and safety for preterm infants (32-37 weeks gestation) in the NICU.
- The IDF approach expedited the feeding process and reduced feeding-related complications.
- IDF did not adversely affect infant growth and development, enhancing overall feeding safety.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of Infant-Driven Feeding (IDF) on feeding outcomes and growth among preterm infants with a gestational age of 32 to 37 weeks at birth in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Methods:
An interventional study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an IDF protocol compared to a standard feeding regimen. The control group (N = 88) received the standard feeding protocol, while the experimental group (N = 92) received the IDF protocol. Data were collected between January 1 and December 31, 2022.
Results:
The experimental group exhibited a higher average oral milk intake per minute than the control group ( t = -7.762, P < .001). Additionally, the experimental group achieved full oral feeding in a significantly shorter time ( t = 4.434, P < .001) compared to the control group. The experimental group also had a shorter nasogastric tube indwelling time ( t = 4.372, P < .001) and length of hospital stay (t = 3.682, P < .001) compared to the control group. During the first week of life, the experimental group showed no significant differences in length (t = -1.475, P = .142), head circumference (t = -0.410, P = .683); however, weight gain on the 7th day was greater in the experimental group (t = -2.260, P = .025) when compared to the control group. The experimental group had a significantly lower incidence of vomiting ( χ 2 = 5.327, P = .021), oxygen desaturations ( χ 2 = 5.715, P = .017), and milk choking ( χ 2 = 6.105, P = .013) as compared to control group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) between the 2 groups ( χ 2 = -1.071, P = .284).
Conclusion:
The implementation of IDF protocol in preterm infants with a gestational age of 32 to 37 weeks at birth in the NICU improved feeding outcomes, expedited the feeding process, and reduced complications associated with poor feeding. Moreover, it did not adversely affect the growth and development of these infants and enhanced their feeding safety.
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