The evidence available from r and omised controlled trials suggested that delaying the introduction of progressive enteral feeds beyond four days after birth did not reduce the risk of developing NEC in very preterm or VLBW infants , including growth-restricted infants .
Delaying the introduction of progressive enteral feeds result ed in a few days ' delay in establishing full enteral feeds but the clinical importance of this effect was unclear .
BACKGROUND The introduction of enteral feeds for very preterm ( less than 32 weeks ' gestation ) or very low birth weight ( VLBW ; less than 1500 g ) infants is often delayed for several days or longer after birth due to concern that early introduction may not be tolerated and may increase the risk of necrotising enterocolitis ( NEC ) .
However , delaying enteral feeding could diminish the functional adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract and prolong the need for parenteral nutrition with its attendant infectious and metabolic risks .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of delayed introduction of progressive enteral feeds on the incidence of NEC , mortality and other morbidities in very preterm or VLBW infants .
Early versus delayed minimal enteral feeding and risk for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm growth-restricted infants with abnormal antenatal Doppler results.
We studied the effect of early ( < or = 5 days ) versus delayed ( > or = 6 days ) initiation of minimal enteral feeding ( MEF ) on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) and feeding intolerance in preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction ( IUGR ) and abnormal antenatal Doppler results . We performed a r and omized , nonblinded pilot trial of infants receiving early or delayed MEF in addition to parenteral feeding within 48 hours of life .  Demographic data , maternal preeclampsia , antenatal steroid exposure , Doppler studies , as well as cases of NEC and feeding intolerance were all recorded . Of the 84 infants enrolled , 81 completed the study : 40 received early ( median age : 2 days , range : 1 to 5 days ) and 41 delayed ( median age : 7 days , range : 6 to 14 days ) MEF . The incidence of NEC and feeding intolerance was not significantly different between groups ( p = 0.353 and p = 0.533 , respectively ) . Birth weight was an independent risk factor for NEC in both groups . Early MEF of preterm infants with IUGR and abnormal antenatal Doppler results may not have a significant effect on the incidence of NEC or feeding intolerance . Furthermore , birth weight seems to be an independent risk factor for the development of NEC , irrespectively of the timing of MEF introduction
The evidence available from r and omised controlled trials suggested that delaying the introduction of progressive enteral feeds beyond four days after birth did not reduce the risk of developing NEC in very preterm or VLBW infants , including growth-restricted infants .
Delaying the introduction of progressive enteral feeds result ed in a few days ' delay in establishing full enteral feeds but the clinical importance of this effect was unclear .
BACKGROUND The introduction of enteral feeds for very preterm ( less than 32 weeks ' gestation ) or very low birth weight ( VLBW ; less than 1500 g ) infants is often delayed for several days or longer after birth due to concern that early introduction may not be tolerated and may increase the risk of necrotising enterocolitis ( NEC ) .
However , delaying enteral feeding could diminish the functional adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract and prolong the need for parenteral nutrition with its attendant infectious and metabolic risks .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of delayed introduction of progressive enteral feeds on the incidence of NEC , mortality and other morbidities in very preterm or VLBW infants .