BACKGROUND: A delay in reaching full enteral feeding is linked to poorer outcome in preterm neonates. Meconium retention has been viewed as a cause of bowel dysfunction in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Thus, adequate evacuation of meconium could help to promote feeding tolerance. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine the effect of the induction of early meconium evacuation on feeding tolerance in VLBWI. METHODS: An observational study involving two subsequent periods was performed in inborn infants with birth weights of <1,500 g, before (control) and after (study) the induction of early meconium evacuation by routine glycerin enema. The total duration of these periods was from January 2003 to December 2005. To evaluate feeding tolerance, we measured time to achieve full enteral feeding. Complications such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis were compared. RESULTS: The study group achieved full enteral feeding significantly faster than the control group (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.8-4.8), and this effect was more definite in infants with a birth weight of <1,000 g (HR = 4.6; 95% CI = 1.9-11.1). The study group passed first meconium faster than the control group (median = 1.4 vs. 3.7 days; p < 0.001). Sepsis, especially as determined by positive culture in central venouscatheter, was significantly reduced in the study group (7.7 vs. 27.8%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The induction of early meconium evacuation had a significantly positive effect on feeding tolerance and sepsis prevention in VLBWI.
BACKGROUND: A delay in reaching full enteral feeding is linked to poorer outcome in preterm neonates. Meconium retention has been viewed as a cause of bowel dysfunction in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Thus, adequate evacuation of meconium could help to promote feeding tolerance. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine the effect of the induction of early meconium evacuation on feeding tolerance in VLBWI. METHODS: An observational study involving two subsequent periods was performed in inborninfants with birth weights of <1,500 g, before (control) and after (study) the induction of early meconium evacuation by routine glycerin enema. The total duration of these periods was from January 2003 to December 2005. To evaluate feeding tolerance, we measured time to achieve full enteral feeding. Complications such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis were compared. RESULTS: The study group achieved full enteral feeding significantly faster than the control group (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.8-4.8), and this effect was more definite in infants with a birth weight of <1,000 g (HR = 4.6; 95% CI = 1.9-11.1). The study group passed first meconium faster than the control group (median = 1.4 vs. 3.7 days; p < 0.001). Sepsis, especially as determined by positive culture in central venouscatheter, was significantly reduced in the study group (7.7 vs. 27.8%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The induction of early meconium evacuation had a significantly positive effect on feeding tolerance and sepsis prevention in VLBWI.
Authors: Se In Sung; So Yoon Ahn; Suk-Joo Choi; Soo-Young Oh; Cheong-Rae Roh; Misun Yang; Yun Sil Chang; Won Soon Park Journal: Neonatology Date: 2022-01-11 Impact factor: 4.035
Authors: Keliana O'Mara; Peter Gal; John Wimmer; J Laurence Ransom; Rita Q Carlos; Mary Ann V T Dimaguila; Christie C Davanzo; McCrae Smith Journal: J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther Date: 2012-07
Authors: Sourabh Dutta; Balpreet Singh; Lorraine Chessell; Jennifer Wilson; Marianne Janes; Kimberley McDonald; Shaneela Shahid; Victoria A Gardner; Aune Hjartarson; Margaret Purcha; Jennifer Watson; Chris de Boer; Barbara Gaal; Christoph Fusch Journal: Nutrients Date: 2015-01-08 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Michael H Livingston; Jorge Zequeira; Henrietta Blinder; Julia Pemberton; Connie Williams; J Mark Walton Journal: Pilot Feasibility Stud Date: 2015-08-25