title: Comparison of 2-h versus 3-h enteral feeding in extremely low birth weight infants, commencing after birth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immaturity is associated with problems in enteral nutrition of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Different time intervals between single feedings are used; however, no data are available to show a benefit of either regime.
  
  
  METHODS
  In January 2001 enteral feeding regime was changed from 2-h to 3-h intervals. In a retrospective study charts were analysed for all ELBW infants during a period of 2 years prior (01/99-12/00) and after (08/01-07/03) changing the feeding regime.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two in the 2-h group (gestational age 27 +/- 2.1, birth weight 797 +/-150) and 32 infants in 3-h (GA 26.9 +/- 1.8 weeks, BW 809 +/- 148 g) were included. Median (range) time until complete enteral feeding (26 (7 to 69) vs. 20 (12 to 58) days) was not statistical different. There were no differences with respect to enteral morbidity (NEC, abdominal surgery, feeding intolerance), length of stay (84 +/- 23 vs. 86 +/- 26 days), growth parameters or weight at discharge. Total duration of phototherapy and average length of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support were significantly (p < 0.01) longer in the 3-h feeding group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight gain and time until complete enteral nutrition are similar in 2-h and 3-h feeding regimes. Data suggest an advantage of 2-h feedings concerning the length of CPAP and phototherapy.
authors.affiliation: Medical University Innsbruck, Department for Pediatrics, Pädiatrie IV-Neonatologie, Austria. mario.ruediger@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rüdiger
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schmalisch
authors.forename: Roland R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wauer
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: Edda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tschirch
mesh_terms: D001034:Apgar Score; D015331:Cohort Studies; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain