Acquisition of full enteral feeds may depend on stooling pattern in very premature infants.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether acquisition of normal stooling pattern is associated with full enteral feeding and growth.

STUDY

DESIGN

This is a prospective observational study of infants with a gestational age of <28 weeks (n=121). All infants admitted to our unit during the study period were managed using the same protocol for rectal stimulation and enemas: we used rectal stimulation if abdominal distension and no defecation occurred in the previous 24 h; enema administration was practiced if abdominal distension persists and no defecation had occurred after rectal stimulation. Age of normal bowel habit (T-NBH) is defined as days when two stools passed each day without enemas or stimulation for three consecutive days. Full enteral feeding is measured by time to receive 120 mL/kg/day (T-120). Multivariable linear regression estimated the contribution of T-NBH on T-120 and the effect of tolerance on growth.

RESULTS

T-NBH was 16 days (12, 24 days) and T-120 was 16 days (12, 24 days). T-120 decreased with earlier normal bowel habit (r=0.625, P<0.0001). Change in weight z-score between 36 weeks postmenstrual age and birth was less pronounced with earlier full enteral feeding (r=-0.446, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Normalization of bowel habit is an important determinant of full enteral feeding of very immature infants. Earlier full enteral feeding is associated with less postnatal growth failure.