Effect of Co-morbidities on The Development of Enteral Feeding Ability in Preterm Infants: A Prospective Hospital-Based Observational Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Assiut University Children Hospital, Assiut, Egypt

2 Prof. of Pediatrics, MD, Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.

3 Resident at Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: It is widely recognized that pre-term newborns frequently encounter challenges in achieving independent enteral feeding, thereby delaying the accomplishment of an appropriate nutritional status and hospital discharge.
Objectives: to investigate the effects of co-morbidities on the timing of the achievement of total enteral feeding in pre-term infants. In addition to, evaluate their routes of feeding and weights at the time of hospital discharge.
Methods: A prospective hospital-based observational study conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of University Children Hospital, a tertiary care hospital. The neonatal and feeding data of 160 neonates born with a gestational age ≤ 32 weeks were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was utilized to assess the impact of co-morbidities on the attainment of their feeding independence.
Results: The median postnatal age at the time of achieving total enteral feeding was 32.9 weeks (range 30.7–38.9 weeks). At the time of discharge there were 7.5% neonates on breast feeding, and 54.4% neonates on artificial feeding, while 38.1% neonates were on a mixture of both and with a median weight of 1540 (1350–1760).
Conclusion: The multiple linear regression analysis showed that a low birth weight, the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and sepsis were all independently associated with an older postnatal age at the time of achieving total enteral feeding. 

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