title: Benefits of a standardised feeding regimen during a clinical trial in preterm neonates.
abstract: The feeding regimen was standardised for a trial of erythromycin to reduce the time to reach full feeds (150 ml/kg/day) by 30% in neonates of < or = 32 weeks gestation. No significant improvement was noted in the primary outcome (median time: erythromycin 93.5 vs placebo 104 hours, p = 0.60). However, necrotising enterocolitis > or = stage II disappeared and the time to full feeds was reduced by over 50% in all neonates during the 18-month trial, and for more than two years after the trial, when the standardised feeding regimen was adopted as routine policy for feeding neonates of < or = 32 weeks (< 28 weeks: 13 vs 4.8 days, p < 0.05; > 28 weeks: 8 vs 3.9 days, p < 0.05). This was in contrast to an average of six cases of NEC per year with 45% mortality during the previous five years. The benefits of standardised feeding schedules--improved detection/treatment of signs/symptoms of feed intolerance--are emphasised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Kirwan Hospital for Women, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Patole
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kadalraja
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tuladhar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Almonte
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Whitehall
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000628:therapy*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007902:Length of Stay; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D004917:Erythromycin