Bolus vs. continuous feeding: effects on splanchnic and cerebral tissue oxygenation in healthy preterm infants.
BACKGROUND
Intermittent and continuous tube feeding modes are commonly used to feed preterm infants. However, there is no clear evidence regarding which method is better tolerated. We investigated the differences between bolus and continuous feeding in terms of cerebral and splanchnic oxygenation in healthy preterm infants.


METHODS
Thirty preterm infants underwent a simultaneous 6-h near-infrared-spectroscopy monitoring of cerebral and splanchnic oxygenation, during which they were fed twice through an orogastric tube: one meal was given as a 10-min bolus, and the other was given continuously over a period of 3 h. Oxygenation trends over time were evaluated and compared between bolus and continuous feeding modes.


RESULTS
Cerebral oxygenation did not change over time and did not differ between the two feeding techniques. Splanchnic oxygenation changed significantly over time and differed between the two feeding techniques, with a significant increase after bolus feeding and a remarkable reduction during continuous feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Bolus and continuous feeding modes influence splanchnic oxygenation in healthy preterm infants differently. Further studies are needed to investigate possible underlying mechanisms and potential effects on feeding tolerance.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Luigi
L
Corvaglia
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Silvia
S
Martini
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Barbara
B
Battistini
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Unit of Hygiene and Biostatistics, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Paola
P
Rucci
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Arianna
A
Aceti
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Giacomo
G
Faldella
D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D013997:Time Factors
D010100:Oxygen