Hemodynamically stable very low birth neonates weight gain is affected by the early initiation of full enteral feedings compared to standard feeding.

BACKGROUND

Premature babies need to develop similarly to fetuses of the same gestational age. The majority of premature neonates experience a growth-restricted status while in the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Extrauterine growth failure is a significant barrier for infants with very low birth weight (VLBW).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted for six months at the Neonatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Neonates with VLBW who met the inclusion criteria were assigned randomly to one of two feeding strategies, that is, full enteral feeding or partial feeding, based on the randomization sequence discovered by opening the sealed cover. The duration of stay, weight variation, neonatal variables, feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), septicemia, apnea, newborn hyperbilirubinemia, PDA, hypoglycemia, intracranial bleeding, and mortality of neonatal recruits were all carefully evaluated.

RESULTS

Two thousand two hundred eighty-four neonates were hospitalized throughout the six-month trial period, and 408 had low birth weight. Three hundred forty-two babies were eliminated from the study due to hemodynamic instability, persistent respiratory distress, infections, metabolic issues, and congenital abnormalities. Sixty-six babies met the study's inclusion criteria, and thus participated in the study. Sixty-six newborns weighed between 1.251 and 1.500 kg. Randomly assigning intervention and control groups. Thirty-three newborns were assigned to group A (intervention) and another 33 to group B (control).

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that enteral feeding was effective, inexpensive, secure, and feasible. Early full enteral feeding reduced septicemia and infant hyperbilirubinemia. Thus, we must start enteral feeding as soon as possible to avoid inadequate nutrition in neonates with VLBW during a crucial growth period.