The impact of feeding interval on feeding outcomes in very low birth-weight infants

Abstract

Objective: Test the hypothesis that very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants fed every 2 h (q2) are able to reach full enteral feedings more quickly than infants fed every 3 h (q3).Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing q2 infants (n ¼ 103) with q3 infants (n ¼ 251). The primary outcome was days from start of a feeding advance to full feedings (120 ml per kg per day). Multivariable regression models were used to control for maternal and perinatal factors that preceded the initiation of the feeding advance.Result: Infants fed q2 reached full feedings 2.7 days sooner than q3 infants (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 3.9). After adjustment for confounders, q2 infants reached full feedings 3.7 (95% CI 1.6, 5.9) days more quickly. Infants fed q3 were more likely to receive >28 days of parenteral nutrition (odds ratio (OR) 4.7; 95% CI 1.5, 14.4), and were more likely to have feeds held for X7 days (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.9, 11.7).Conclusion: VLBW infants demonstrate improved feeding tolerance when fed more frequently.

Two-hourly versus 3-hourly feeding for very low birthweight infants: a randomised controlled trial

“…The results of this study were comparable with results from retrospective cohort studies by DeMauro et al ,13 a study including also extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants, and by Rüdiger et al ,14 which included only ELBW infants.…”

Comparison of feeding intolerance between very preterm and moderate preterm neonates – a prospective cohort study

“…SB De Mauro and co-workers. 22,23 have done a study on the impact of feeding interval on feeding outcomes in very low birth-weight infants. They found that the preterm babies reach full feeding at 16 days of life.…”

Feeding interval and postprandial intestinal blood flow in premature infants

“…Several neonatology textbooks recommend a short interval for enteral feeding of lower‐birthweight infants . A recent study that compared feeding at intervals of 2 h and 3 h revealed some advantages of feeding every 2 h in very‐low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants . However, little is known about the effects of feeding interval on intestinal blood flow.…”