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Feeding interval and postprandial intestinal blood flow in premature infants
Author(s) -
Maruyama Kenichi,
Fujiu Toru,
Inoue Takahiro,
Koizumi Aya,
Inoue Fumitaka
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.12106
Subject(s) - postprandial , medicine , blood flow , enteral administration , sma* , parenteral nutrition , zoology , cardiology , biology , mathematics , combinatorics , insulin
Background The feeding interval is an important factor in enteral feeding of premature infants. We investigated postprandial intestinal blood flow in stable very‐low‐birthweight infants fed at 2‐h and 3‐h intervals. Methods We used pulsed wave D oppler ultrasound to measure blood flow velocity of the superior mesenteric artery ( SMA ) before feeding and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after feeding. Measurements were made on the day of starting enteral nutrition (1 or 2 days of age), and at 3 and 5 days of age. A total of 21 studies were performed in seven infants fed every 2 h, and 54 studies were performed in 18 infants fed every 3 h. Results In infants fed every 2 h, SMA blood flow velocity increased from before feeding to 30 min after feeding and then decreased at 60 min after feeding. In infants fed every 3 h, SMA blood flow velocity increased after feeding, reaching a peak at 30 min. The correlation coefficients between the volume of milk per feed and the postprandial increase in time‐averaged mean blood flow velocity were 0.398 ( P = 0.074, n = 21) and 0.597 ( P = 0.000, n = 54) in infants fed at 2‐h and 3‐h intervals, respectively. Conclusions SMA blood flow velocity significantly increased after feeding in infants fed at 2‐h and 3‐h intervals. The volume of milk per feed might affect the postprandial increase in SMA blood flow velocity.