title: Feeding interval and postprandial intestinal blood flow in premature infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The feeding interval is an important factor in enteral feeding of premature infants. We investigated postprandial intestinal blood flow in stable very-low-birthweight infants fed at 2-h and 3-h intervals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound to measure blood flow velocity of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) before feeding and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after feeding. Measurements were made on the day of starting enteral nutrition (1 or 2 days of age), and at 3 and 5 days of age. A total of 21 studies were performed in seven infants fed every 2 h, and 54 studies were performed in 18 infants fed every 3 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In infants fed every 2 h, SMA blood flow velocity increased from before feeding to 30 min after feeding and then decreased at 60 min after feeding. In infants fed every 3 h, SMA blood flow velocity increased after feeding, reaching a peak at 30 min. The correlation coefficients between the volume of milk per feed and the postprandial increase in time-averaged mean blood flow velocity were 0.398 (P = 0.074, n = 21) and 0.597 (P = 0.000, n = 54) in infants fed at 2-h and 3-h intervals, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SMA blood flow velocity significantly increased after feeding in infants fed at 2-h and 3-h intervals. The volume of milk per feed might affect the postprandial increase in SMA blood flow velocity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan. maruken@gcmc.pref.gunma.jp
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujiu
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Fumitaka
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Inoue
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
keywords: blood flow velocity; feeding interval; pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound; superior mesenteric artery; very-low-birthweight infant