title: Impact of Continuous vs Bolus Feeding on Splanchnic Perfusion in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: To detect changes in splanchnic perfusion and oxygenation induced by 2 different feeding regimens in infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and those without IUGR.
  
  
  
  This was a randomized trial in 40 very low birth weight infants. When an enteral intake of 100 mL/kg/day was achieved, patients with IUGR and those without IUGR were randomized into 2 groups. Group A (n = 20) received a feed by bolus (in 10 minutes), then, after at least 3 hours, received the same amount of formula by continuous nutrition over 3 hours. Group B (n = 20) received a feed administered continuously over 3 hours, followed by a bolus administration (in 10 minutes) of the same amount of formula after at least 3 hours. On the day of randomization, intestinal and cerebral regional oximetry was measured via near-infrared spectroscopy and Doppler ultrasound (US) of the superior mesenteric artery was performed. Examinations were performed before the feed and at 30 minutes after the feed by bolus and before the feed, at 30 minutes after the start of the feed, and at 30 minutes after the end of the feed for the 3-hour continuous feed.
  
  
  
  Superior mesenteric artery Doppler US showed significantly higher perfusion values after the bolus feeds than after the continuous feeds. Near-infrared spectroscopy values remained stable before and after feeds. Infants with IUGR and those without IUGR showed the same perfusion and oxygenation patterns.
  
  
  
  According to our Doppler US results, bolus feeding is more effective than continuous feeding in increasing splanchnic perfusion.
  
  
  
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01341236.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, MBBM Foundation, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. Electronic address: vbozzetti@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bozzetti
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, MBBM Foundation, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paterlini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy; Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Medicine, C. Arrigo Children's Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gazzolo
authors.affiliation: Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Valsecchi
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, MBBM Foundation, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Tagliabue
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
keywords: IUGR; NIRS; SMA Doppler; bolus nutrition; continuous nutrition; splanchnic oxygenation