A prospective study describing splanchnic NIRS and clinical outcomes in encephalopathic neonates receiving minimal enteral nutrition during therapeutic hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE

To compare regional splanchnic oxygenation (SrSO2) levels and clinical outcomes between infants who received minimal enteral nutrition (MEN) during Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH), and those who did not.

STUDY

DESIGN

A prospective, interventional cohort study with a historic control group at two Regional Perinatal Centers (NCT05471336).

RESULTS

Participant demographics and clinical illness severity were similar between MEN (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. There were no significant safety events. SrSO2 levels were normal in both groups throughout. Subjects that received MEN experienced fewer central line days (5.8 v 6.9, p = 0.005) and higher rates of human milk feeding (77% v 46%, p = 0.010), and achieved full oral feeds sooner (9.9 v 13.4 days, p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Splanchnic tissue oxygenation was normal in both groups, and similar between groups throughout TH. Providing MEN during TH appears safe and effective, resulting in several important clinical benefits.