Early versus late nutrition support in premature neonates with respiratory distress syndrome
This study was presented at the annual meeting of the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Society of Asia, Taipei, Taiwan; November 12, 2000.
Abstract
Objective
This retrospective study evaluated two different modes of nutrition supplementation in premature neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.
Methods
Data were collected from the medical records of premature infants treated from January 1, 1997 to July 31, 2000. Seventeen infants were given peripheral amino acids and gradual advanced minimal hypocaloric enteral feeding within the first 48 h (early nutrition group), and 19 infants received nutrition supplementation more than 48 h after birth (late nutrition group). Groups were similar with regard to gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, mode of delivery, and diagnosis.
Results
Compared with infants in the late nutrition group, those in the early nutrition group required fewer days of parenteral nutrition, fewer days to reach full enteral feeding, fewer days of mechanical ventilation, fewer days of aminophylline use, fewer days to regain birth weight, and had a lower percentage of maximal weight loss. Other physiologic parameters such as age at maximal weight loss, weight gain after day 10, and hospital days required favored the use of early nutrition.
Conclusions
Early nutrition to maintain a positive energy balance in premature neonates with respiratory distress syndrome is beneficial.
aDepartment of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University–Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
bDepartment of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University–Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
cDepartment of General Surgery, Taipei Medical University–Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
dDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Correspondence to: Yu-Hsuan Yen, MS, Department of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University–Wan Fang Hospital, 111, Hsing Long Road, Section 3, Taipei 116, Taiwan.
ABSTRACT