Early "sham" feeding of neonates promotes oral feeding after delayed primary repair of major congenital esophageal anomalies.
BACKGROUND
To promote the appropriate and early development of the suck and swallow mechanism, we instituted a "sham" feeding protocol in infants undergoing delayed primary repair of an esophageal atresia anomaly.


METHODS
Four patients who were born with esophageal atresia required delayed repair and were sham fed before surgical correction. Each infant started with a small volume of oral feeds by using a bottle/nipple with a continuous Replogle suction system placed nasally into the esophageal pouch. They were carefully monitored. The volume of feeds was slowly increased as tolerated.


RESULTS
All infants successfully completed the sham feeding protocol before undergoing delayed primary esophageal repair. After repair, they had a shortened time to full oral feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Our "sham" feeding protocol is safe and very effective in early development of oral feeding mechanisms and shortens time to complete oral feeding after delayed esophageal repair.
Golonka
Naomi R
NR
Paediatric and Neonatal Surgery, University of British Columbia, Victoria General Hospital, Victoria, BC. ngolonka@surg.bc.ca
Hayashi
Allen H
AH
D003679:Deglutition; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D013396:Suction