title: Photoprotection of parenteral nutrition enhances advancement of minimal enteral nutrition in preterm infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Light exposure of TPN generates peroxides which induce vasoconstriction. Mesenteric vasoconstriction may affect feeding tolerance. Since photo-protection of TPN decreases peroxide generation, we hypothesized that shielding TPN from light may improve the establishment of minimal enteral nutrition in preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants were randomized to TPN being light exposed (LE) or protected (LP) from birth. Feeding volumes were monitored through 7 days of life in those initiated on minimal enteral nutrition (MEN). Comparisons between LP and LE were performed by ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily increments and cumulative volumes of enteral feeds (mL/kg birth weight/d) during the first week of life were significantly higher in LP (n = 18) than LE (n = 19).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Photo-protection of parenteral nutrition enhances advancement of MEN in preterm infants. Further research is needed to substantiate these findings and determine whether this confers long-term nutritional advantages.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Minesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khashu
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Vikki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lalari
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gow
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chessex
mesh_terms: D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010545:Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D010545:Peroxides