Benefits of a standardised feeding regimen during a clinical trial in preterm neonates
Patole, S.K.; Kadalraja, R.; Tuladhar, R.; Almonte, R.; Muller, R.; Whitehall, J.S.
International Journal of Clinical Practice 54(7): 429-431
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1368-5031 PMID: 11070566 Document Number: 524540
The feeding regimen was standardized for a trial of erythromycin to reduce the time to reach full feeds (150 ml/kg daily) by 30% in neonates of <=32 weeks gestation. No significant improvement was noted in the primary outcome (median time: erythromycin 93.5 vs. placebo 104 hours). However, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) >=stage II disappeared and the time to full feeds was reduced by over 50% in all neonates during the 18-month trial, and for more than two years after the trial, when the standardized feeding regimen was adopted as routine policy for feeding neonates of <=32 weeks (<28 weeks: 13 vs. 4.8 days, p<0.05; >28 weeks: 8 vs. 3.9 days, p<0.05). This was in contrast to an average of six cases of NEC per year with 45% mortality during the previous five years. The benefits of standardized feeding schedules - improved detection/treatment of signs/symptoms of feed intolerance - are emphasised.