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 .
Developmental Outcome at 6.5 Years After Acidosis in Term Newborns: A Population-Based Study
OBJECTIVES : Infants who develop encephalopathy after perinatal asphyxia have an increased risk of death and adverse neurologic outcome . Conflicting results exist concerning outcome in healthy infants with metabolic acidosis at birth . The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether metabolic acidosis at birth in term infants who appear healthy is associated with long-term developmental abnormalities . METHODS : From a population -based cohort ( 14 687 deliveries ) , 78 infants were prospect ively identified as having metabolic acidosis ( umbilical artery pH < 7.05 and base deficit in the extracellular fluid > 12.0 mmol/L ) . Two matched controls per case were selected . The child health and school health care records were scrutinized for developmental abnormalities . RESULTS : Outcome measures at 6.5 years of age for 227 of 234 children ( 97 % ) were obtained . No differences were found concerning neurologic or behavioral problems in need of referral action or neurodevelopmental diagnosis in comparison of control children with acidotic children who had appeared healthy at birth , ie , had not required special neonatal care or had no signs of encephalopathy . CONCLUSIONS : Infants born with cord metabolic acidosis and who appear well do not have an increased risk for neurologic or behavioral problems in need of referral actions or special teaching approaches at the age of 6.5 years
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 .