Is 5% dextrose in water a proper choice for initial postoperative feeding in infants?

Forty infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair were divided equally into two groups. After adequate recovery from anesthesia, one group was given an initial feeding of 5% dextrose in water while the other received 15% milk formula (5 mL/kg in each case). Samples of gastric content were taken 15, 30, and 60 minutes after feeding and measurements of gastric residual volume, pH, and osmolality were obtained. A statistically significant difference in the pH and osmolality of the gastric samples was present without any difference in the gastric residual volumes or rates of gastric clearance between these two groups. Initial feedings of milk appear to offer no substantial disadvantages when compared with dextrose in water feedings in the prevention of the acid aspiration syndrome.