Starch thickening of human milk is ineffective in reducing the gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants: a crossover study using intraluminal impedance.
We evaluated the efficacy of the thickening of human milk by precooked starch in reducing gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants. Five preterm infants with frequent regurgitations (median gestational age, 28 weeks; range, 27 to 32 weeks; median birth weight, 990 g; range, 570 to 1900 g) were fed alternately during 24 hours with four meals of fortified maternal milk (milk A) and four meals of fortified maternal milk thickened by 1.5 g of precooked starch per 100 mL of milk (milk B). The acidic and buffered refluxes were detected by simultaneous pH monitoring and multiple intraluminal impedance. Eight feeding periods for each baby were recorded. The number of the acidic (34 after milk A vs 36 after milk B) and buffered (112 after milk A vs 134 after milk B) episodes of gastroesophageal reflux did not differ. Thickening human milk by precooked starch is ineffective in reducing gastroesophageal reflux in premature infants.
Department of Preventive Pediatrics and Neonatology, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, 40138 Bologna, Italy. luicorva@almadns.unibo.it
Luigi
L
Corvaglia
Marianna
M
Ferlini
Raffaella
R
Rotatori
Vittoria
V
Paoletti
Rosina
R
Alessandroni
Guido
G
Cocchi
Giacomo
G
Faldella
D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013213:Starch / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013213:Starch