Intermittent Bolus or Semicontinuous Feeding for Preterm Infants?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical benefits and risks of semicontinuous (CON) versus intermittent nasogastric tube feeding in low-birth-weight infants. METHODS: Infants with a birth weight <1750 g and gestational age <32 weeks were stratified according to birth weight and assigned to either CON or intermittent bolus (BOL) feeding. The primary endpoint was days to full enteral feeding (defined as 120 mL(-1) · kg(-1) · day(-1)). We also collected data on feeding tolerance, weight gain, respiratory support, and complications (sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, and death). RESULTS: There was no difference between the 2 groups (CON n = 121, BOL n = 125) in days to reach full enteral feeding--7 (5-10) versus 6 (5-8) days, respectively, with a difference 1 (-0.05 to 2.1). Mean daily gastric residual volumes, however, were significantly lower in the BOL group (4.8 vs 3.9 mL/day, difference 0.9 mL/day [0.1-1.7]), as was the total number of patients with feeding interruptions (76 vs 59, difference 16% [3%-28%]). CONCLUSIONS: Bolus and continuous feeding are equally suitable feeding strategies for preterm neonates. BOL feeding, however, may be preferable.