Does early enteral feeding of very low birth weight infants increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective study, we intended to test whether early enteral feeding (EEF) of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm babies increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or not.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Overall, 297 VLBW preterm babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between April 2003 and April 2006 were included. The study consisted of two periods: the first period was between April 2003 and October 2004, when babies were not fed enterally until they were extubated (167 preterm VLBWs). The second period was between November 2004 and April 2006, when babies were fed even when they were intubated, starting preferably on the first day of life (130 preterm VLBWs). Criteria for withholding enteral feeding in both periods were hypotension necessitating vasopressor agent use, abdominal distention, abdominal tenderness and suspected or proven NEC. Possible risk factors for NEC were also recorded.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of NEC in VLBW preterm babies was 6.7% and did not differ between the two study periods: 7.2% in the late and 6.2% in the EEF regimens. On logistic regression analysis, the most important risk factors associated with NEC were sepsis (P<0.001) and blood culture positivity (P<0.001). The average daily weight gain was significantly higher in the early fed babies (P=0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

The EEF of VLBW preterm babies does not increase the risk of NEC. Increased daily weight gain is an important reason to feed these babies earlier.