The Effect of Neonatal Feeding Modalities on Splanchnic Oxygenation

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of drip versus intermittent feeding on splanchnic oxygenation in preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The second objective was to assess the relationship between fetal splanchnic circulation parameters and splanchnic oxygenation during the first week of life. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, randomized study with 51 fetuses/infants was conducted. Fetal Doppler measurements including umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were recorded in IUGR fetuses. After preterm delivery the infants were randomly assigned to one of two feeding modalities: drip (3-hour continuous) or intermittent (bolus in 10 minutes). Continuous regional splanchnic saturation (rSO2S) monitoring was carried out during first week of life, simultaneously with continuous oxygen arterial saturation (SaO2) monitoring and the infants' fractional oxygen extractions (FOE) were calculated. These parameters were evaluated as means on a daily basis for the first week of life, as well as pre-prandial and post-prandial measurements on the seventh day. RESULTS: Fetal Doppler flow velocimetry disturbances were present in 72.5% of the study cohort. The Drip (26 infants) and Intermittent (25 infants) groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the prevalence of feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis. During the first week of life, there was no difference in daily mean rSO2S and FOE values between the Drip and Intermittent groups, whereas unfed infants had mostly lower rSO2S values. Pre-prandial and post-prandial rSO2S values remained stable in both groups. Also, no association was detected between fetal splanchnic circulation parameters and neonatal splanchnic oxygenation. RSO2S values were strongly correlated to gestational age and birth weight. During the whole week, except for the first two days, infants with umbilical catheters