Early versus late nutrition support in premature neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.
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.
Ho
Man-Yau
MY
Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University-Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yen
Y u-Hsuan
Yu
Hsieh
Mao-Chih
MC
Chen
Hsiang-Yin
HY
Chien
Shu-Chen
SC
Hus-Lee
Shing-Mei
SM
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*
D000596:Amino Acids