Abstract
Background and Objectives: Beneficial effects of human milk has questioned the logic of enteral feeding delay in low birth weight preterm infants. This study aims to investigate the benefit of trophic feeding in the first 24 of birth in low birth weight preterm infants.
Materials and Methods: In a prospective cohort, from 2008-2009 in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 90 preterm infant (1000-1500 gr, 26-31 weeks) were entered the study. 45 infants received trophic feeding enterally within the first 24 hours of birth (group A) and 45 infants received it within the next 24-48 hr (group B) who were studied due to important infancy outcomes until discharge.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical and maternal characteristics of infants in two groups. Duration of Parenteral nutrition in group A (7/87 ± 4/39 days) was significantly shorter comparing to group B (12/49± 6/41days (P < 0/001)). Infants in group A attained their birth weight sooner than infants in group B (12/16 ± 5/03 vs 19/25 ± 7/13months) (P P < 0/001)). Infants in group A had a sooner discharge from NICU than infants in group B (11/00 ± 9/99 vs 18/18± 1/99 days) (P =0/003). The incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis were not different between two groups.
Conclusion: Results of this study verifies the beneficial effect of trophic feeding in the first day of life in low birth weight preterm infants.