Nutritional approach to preterm infants on noninvasive ventilation: An update

[Expert consensus on enteral nutrition management for preterm infants in special situations (2024)]

Establishing enteral nutrition after the birth of preterm infants presents numerous challenges, particularly for those in special situations. Various disease factors and medical interventions impede the establishment of enteral feeding, leading to conflicts and controversies regarding feeding goals, feeding methods, and the challenges and solutions faced by these infants. A critical issue for clinical physicians is how to safely and promptly establish enteral nutrition to achieve full enteral feeding as quickly as possible. The consensus formulation working group, based on both domestic and overseas research, adopted the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, and formed an expert consensus on enteral nutrition management for preterm infants in special situations. This consensus provides 14 recommendations for 9 common special situations, aiming to offer guidance on enteral nutrition management for preterm infants to improve their short and long-term outcomes. Citation:Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2024, 26(7): 665-676.

Nutritional Strategies for Preterm Neonates and Preterm Neonates Undergoing Surgery: New Insights for Practice and Wrong Beliefs to Uproot

The nutrition of preterm infants remains contaminated by wrong beliefs that reflect inexactitudes and perpetuate old practices. In this narrative review, we report current evidence in preterm neonates and in preterm neonates undergoing surgery. Convictions that necrotizing enterocolitis is reduced by the delay in introducing enteral feeding, a slow advancement in enteral feeds, and the systematic control of residual gastric volumes, should be abandoned. On the contrary, these practices prolong the time to reach full enteral feeding. The length of parenteral nutrition should be as short as possible to reduce the infectious risk. Intrauterine growth restriction, hemodynamic and respiratory instability, and patent ductus arteriosus should be considered in advancing enteral feeds, but they must not translate into prolonged fasting, which can be equally dangerous. Clinicians should also keep in mind the risk of refeeding syndrome in case of high amino acid intake and inadequate electrolyte supply, closely monitoring them. Conversely, when preterm infants undergo surgery, nutritional strategies are still based on retrospective studies and opinions rather than on randomized controlled trials. Finally, this review also highlights how the use of adequately fortified human milk is strongly recommended, as it offers unique benefits for immune and gastrointestinal health and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Continuous versus Bolus Gastric Tube Feeding in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Supported with Noninvasive Respiratory Support: A Randomized, Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

 This study aimed to compare time to full feeding (TFF) between continuous gastric feeding (CGF) and bolus feeding (BF) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants supported with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and to evaluate feasibility and identify methodological pitfalls for future large-scale studies.

STUDY DESIGN

 This study is a randomized controlled, prospective, pilot study. VLBW premature infants, supported with NIV, were randomized while still on trophic feeding <20 mL/kg/day to receive feeding over 2 hours of CGF or over 15- to 30-minute BF. The primary outcome was TFF. Analysis was done by intention to treat.

RESULTS

 Overall, 32 infants were included in this analysis, 17 in the CGF group and 15 in the BF group. Infants in the CGF group were significantly younger than the BF group (mean ± standard deviation [SD] gestational age [GA] 26.9 ± 1.2 vs. 28.9 ± 1.5 weeks, respectively). TFF was comparable with median (interquartile range [IQR]) for the two groups, 10.0 (10.0, 19.0) days in the BF group versus 12.0 (9.0, 13.0) days in the CGF group (p = 0.59). Feeding length was not found to significantly affect TFF in multivariate analysis correcting for GA. Groups were comparable in weight gain, gastrointestinal complications, length of NIV, bronchopulmonary dysplasia incidence, and age at discharge. Most infants from both groups (60% of BF and 70% of CGF) required changes in feeding length.

CONCLUSION

 In this pilot study, among VLBW infants supported with NIV, TFF was comparable between the BF and CGF groups. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and despite the multivariate analysis correcting for the different GA. Interestingly, most infants required changes in feeding length regardless of their allocation. This feasibility study emphasizes the need for careful attention to randomization and strict feeding protocols including criteria for switching allocation in future large-scale studies aimed at determining the preferred feeding length during NIV in VLBW infants.

KEY POINTS

· Among infants supported with NIV, length of feeding affects gastric venting.. · BF might increase gastrointestinal reflux, while continuous feeding hinders gastric decompression.. · Among infants supported by NIV, feeding tolerance was comparable between bolus and continuous groups..

Nutritional Needs of the Infant with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Growth failure is a common problem in infants with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Suboptimal growth for infants with BPD is associated with unfavorable respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes; however, high-quality evidence to support best nutritional practices are limited for this vulnerable patient population. Consequently, there exists a wide variation in the provision of nutritional care and monitoring of growth for infants with BPD. Other neonatal populations at risk for growth failure, such as infants with congenital heart disease, have demonstrated improved growth outcomes with the creation and compliance of clinical protocols to guide nutritional management. Developing clinical protocols to guide nutritional management for infants with BPD may similarly improve long-term outcomes. Given the absence of high-quality trials to guide nutritional practice in infants with BPD, the best available evidence of systematic reviews and clinical recommendations can be applied to optimize growth and decrease variation in the care of these infants.

[Association Between Different Modes of Respiratory Support and Feeding Intolerance in Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study]

Objective

To explore the relationship between different modes of respiratory support and feeding intolerance (FI) in preterm infants over the course of their hospitalization and to provide recommendations for the management of enteral feeding in preterm infants requiring respiratory support.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed with the preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University between June 2015 and November 2018. The modes of respiratory support were used as independent variables and FI was used as the outcome indicator. The preterm infants were grouped according to the specific modes of respiratory support they were on over the course of their hospitalization and the relationship between each mode of respiratory support and FI was compared.

Results

A total of 272 preterm infants were enrolled in the study. After adjusting for confounding factors, findings from logistics regression suggested that, compared with normobaric oxygen, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) might reduce the incidence of FI (odds ratio [OR]=0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06-4.77), while other modes of respiratory support might increase the incidence of FI. Compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) and invasive ventilation might increase the incidence of FI, with the adjusted OR being 1.31 and 1.69, and 95% CI being 0.67-2.55 and 0.65-4.41, respectively. The incidence of FI in BIPAP and invasive ventilation was similar (adjusted OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.41-2.42). However, the P-values of the above results were all greater than 0.05.

Conclusion

HFNC has the lowest incidence of FI in the respiratory support modes examined in this study. Attention should be paid to enteral feeding management when using NCPAP, BIPAP, and invasive ventilation to avoid the occurrence of FI. Given the limited sample size, further research is warranted to confirm the conclusion.

Very low birthweight infants receive less enteral feeding than what is prescribed

AIM

Feeding a very low birthweight (VLBW, <1500 g) infant is challenging. Our aims were to study how prescribed enteral feeding is implemented in VLBW infants and to identify factors associating with slow enteral feeding progression.

METHODS

Our retrospective cohort included 516 VLBW infants born before 32 weeks of gestation during 2005-2013 and admitted to Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, for at least the two first weeks of life. Nutritional data were collected from birth until the age of 14-28 days, depending on the length of stay.

RESULTS

We found that enteral feeding progressed slower than recommended and implementation differed from the prescriptions, especially during the parenteral nutrition phase (milk intake 10-20 mL/kg/day): 71% [40-100], median [IQR], of the prescribed enteral milk was administered. The full prescribed amount was less likely administered if a higher volume of gastric residual was aspirated or if the infant did not pass stool during the same day. Longer opiate use, patent ductus arteriosus, respiratory distress syndrome and slower passage of the first meconium associated with slower enteral feeding progression.

CONCLUSION

Enteral feeding of a VLBW infant is often not administered as prescribed, which possibly plays a significant role in the slow progression of enteral feeding.

A review and guide to nutritional care of the infant with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most common long-term morbidity of premature birth, and the incidence of BPD is not declining despite medical advancements. Infants with BPD are at high risk for postnatal growth failure and are often treated with therapies that suppress growth. Additionally, these infants may display excess weight gain relative to linear growth. Optimal growth and nutrition are needed to promote lung growth and repair, improve long-term pulmonary function, and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. Linear growth in particular has been associated with favorable outcomes yet can be difficult to achieve in these patients. While there has been a significant clinical and research focus regarding BPD prevention and early preterm nutrition, there is a lack of literature regarding nutritional care of the infant with established BPD. There is even less information regarding how nutritional needs change as BPD evolves from an acute to chronic disease. This article reviews the current literature regarding nutritional challenges, enteral nutrition management, and monitoring for patients with established BPD. Additionally, this article provides a practical framework for interdisciplinary nutritional care based on our clinical experience at the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Compatibility of rapid enteral feeding advances and noninvasive ventilation in preterm infants-An observational study

AIM

To evaluate safety and clinical outcome of rapid enteral feeding advances in preterm infants <1500 g birthweight (BW).

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 293 preterm infants born during 2015-2018 were comparatively analyzed before (n = 145) and after (n = 148) the implementation of a rapid enteral feeding protocol with daily milk increments of 20-30 ml/kg of body weight. Major outcome parameters were focused toward pulmonary morbidities and nutritional variables.

RESULTS

Preterm infants in the rapid feeding advancement group were more successfully stabilized on noninvasive ventilation (p < 0.001) never requiring mechanical ventilation. Duration of respiratory support (0.465) and frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (p = 0.341) and severe BPD (0.273) did not differ between both groups. Furthermore, patients in the rapid feeding group achieved full volume feedings faster (p < 0.001), regained BW earlier (p = 0.009), and displayed significantly improved somatic growth at 36 weeks gestational age (p < 0.001). There was no increased risk for further morbidities of prematurity including feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and focal intestinal perforation.

CONCLUSION

Rapid enteral feeding advancements in preterm infants <1500 g BW are safe and do not impede stabilization on noninvasive ventilation.

Gestational Age-Related Associations between Early-Life Feeding Trajectories and Growth Outcomes at Term Equivalent Age in Very Preterm Infants

Establishing the different feeding trajectories based on daily enteral feeding data in preterm infants at different gestational ages (GAs), may help to identify the risks and extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) outcomes associated with the adverse feeding pattern. In a single center, we retrospectively included 625 infants born at 23-30 weeks of gestation who survived to term-equivalent age (TEA) from 2009 to 2020. The infants were designated into three GA groups: 23-26, 27-28, and 29-30 weeks. The daily enteral feeding amounts in the first 56 postnatal days were analyzed to determine the feeding trajectories. The primary outcomes were EUGR in body weight and head circumference calculated, respectively, by the changes between birth and TEA. Clustering analysis identified two feeding trajectories, namely the improving and adverse patterns in each GA group. The adverse feeding pattern that occurred in 49%, 20%, and 17% of GA 23-26, 27-28, and 29-30 weeks, respectively, was differentiated from the improving feeding pattern as early as day 7 in infants at GA 23-26 and 27-28 weeks, in contrast to day 21 in infants at GA 29-30 weeks. The adverse feeding patterns were associated with sepsis, respiratory, and gastrointestinal morbidities at GA 23-26 weeks; sepsis, hemodynamic and gastrointestinal morbidities at GA 27-28 weeks; and preeclampsia, respiratory, and gastrointestinal morbidities at GA 29-30 weeks. Using the improving feeding group as a reference, the adverse feeding group showed significantly higher adjusted odds ratios of EUGR in body weight and head circumference in infants at GA 23-26 and 27-28 weeks. Identifying the early-life adverse feeding trajectories may help recognize the related EUGR outcomes of preterm infants in a GA-related manner.

[Enteral feeding in extremely low birth weight infants with a gestational age of <28 weeks versus ≥ 28 weeks]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the condition of enteral feeding and the incidence of feeding intolerance (FI) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with a gestational age (GA) of < 28 weeks versus ≥ 28 weeks.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed for the ELBW infants who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, from January 2018 to January 2020. According to GA, they were divided into two groups:GA < 28 weeks (n=41) and GA ≥ 28 weeks (n=38). The two groups were compared in terms of enteral feeding and incidence rate of FI during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Among the 41 infants in the GA < 28 weeks group, 2 (5%) were small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, while among the 38 infants in the GA ≥ 28 weeks group, 24 (63%) were SGA infants. Compared with the GA ≥ 28 weeks group, the GA < 28 weeks group had significantly longer initial and final time to full enteral feeding (P < 0.05). The GA < 28 weeks group had a significantly higher recurrence rate of FI than the GA ≥ 28 weeks group (54% vs 32%, P < 0.05). Compared with the GA < 28 weeks group, the GA ≥ 28 weeks group had a significantly lower incidence rate of FI within 1-2 weeks after birth (5% vs 29%, P < 0.05) and a significantly shorter duration of FI (P < 0.05). The ELBW infants in the GA ≥ 28 weeks group had a higher velocity of weight gain, a shorter length of hospital stay, and a lower incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but a higher incidence rate of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) than the GA < 28 weeks group at discharge (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the ELBW infants with a GA of < 28 weeks, the ELBW infants with a GA of ≥ 28 weeks have a lower recurrence rate of FI and can achieve full enteral feeding earlier, but with a higher incidence rate of EUGR, suggesting that enteral feeding needs to be more active for the ELBW infants with a GA of ≥ 28 weeks.

Implementation of a protocol-based strategy for weaning nasal high flow therapy in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

We compared protocolized weaning versus nonprotocolized weaning practice from nasal high flow therapy (nHFT) in preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

A before-and- after observational study.

METHODS

The study was conducted in three phases; Phase 1: infants were weaned according to usual practice for 6 months (nonprotocolized), Phase 2: education and training physicians and nursing staff for the protocol for 1 month, and Phase 3: protocol of weaning from nHFT was applied for the following 6 months with specified criteria for readiness to wean, weaning failure and weaning technique. The primary outcome was failure to wean off nHFT.

RESULTS

One hundred and four preterm infants were enrolled, 51 preterm infants in the protocol group and 53 in the nonprotocol group. The groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline. There were significantly lower number of patients who failed weaning from nHFT in the protocol group compared to nonprotocol group (4 [7.8%] versus 15 [28.3%], p = .007]. There was shorter time to reach full enteral feeding in the protocol group compared with nonprotocol group (p = .03). There were no significant differences between groups regarding other outcomes including total durations of respiratory support, nHFT and oxygen therapy, duration of nHFT after decision of weaning, and neonatal mortality and morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a standardized protocol for weaning from nHFT in preterm infants reduced weaning failure and reduced the time to full feeds. Larger trials are recommended to detect the impact of weaning protocols on other outcomes.

Reply: "It is Time for a Universal Nutrition Policy in Very Preterm Neonates during the Neonatal Period? Comment on: Applying Methods for Postnatal Growth Assessment in the Clinical Setting: Evaluation in a Longitudinal Cohort of Very Preterm Infants Nutrients 2019, 11, 2772"

We would like to thank Gounaris et al [...].

The impact of preterm adversity on cardiorespiratory function

NEW FINDINGS

What is the topic of this review? We review the influence of prematurity on the cardiorespiratory system and examine the common sequel of alterations in oxygen tension, and immune activation in preterm infants. What advances does it highlight? The review highlights neonatal animal models of intermittent hypoxia, hyperoxia and infection that contribute to our understanding of the effect of stress on neurodevelopment and cardiorespiratory homeostasis. We also focus on some of the important physiological pathways that have a modulatory role on the cardiorespiratory system in early life.

ABSTRACT

Preterm birth is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality. Babies that survive early-life stress associated with immaturity have significant prevailing short- and long-term morbidities. Oxygen dysregulation in the first few days and weeks after birth is a primary concern as the cardiorespiratory system slowly adjusts to extrauterine life. Infants exposed to rapid alterations in oxygen tension, including exposures to hypoxia and hyperoxia, have altered redox balance and active immune signalling, leading to altered stress responses that impinge on neurodevelopment and cardiorespiratory homeostasis. In this review, we explore the clinical challenges posed by preterm birth, followed by an examination of the literature on animal models of oxygen dysregulation and immune activation in the context of early-life stress.

Enteral Nutrition Tolerance And REspiratory Support (ENTARES) Study in preterm infants: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and feeding intolerance are common conditions in preterm infants and among the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity.

For many years, preterm infants with RDS have been treated with mechanical ventilation, increasing risks of acute lung injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

In recent years non-invasive ventilation techniques have been developed. Showing similar efficacy and risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) have become the most widespread techniques in neonatal intensive care units. However, their impact on nutrition, particularly on feeding tolerance and risk of complications, is still unknown in preterm infants.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of NCPAP vs HHHFNC on enteral feeding and to identify the most suitable technique for preterm infants with RDS.

Methods

A multicenter randomized single-blind controlled trial was designed. All preterm infants with a gestational age of 25–29 weeks treated with NCPAP or HHHFNC for RDS and demonstrating stability for at least 48 h along with the compliance with inclusion criteria (age less than 7 days, need for non-invasive respiratory support, suitability to start enteral feeding) will be enrolled in the study and randomized to the NCPAP or HHHFNC arm. All patients will be monitored until discharge, and data will be analyzed according to an intention-to-treat model.

The primary outcome is the time to reach full enteral feeding, while parameters of respiratory support, feeding tolerance, and overall health status will be evaluated as secondary outcomes. The sample size was calculated at 141 patients per arm.

Discussion

The identification of the most suitable technique (NCPAP vs HHHFNC) for preterm infants with feeding intolerance could reduce gastrointestinal complications, improve growth, and reduce hospital length of stay, thus improving clinical outcomes and reducing health costs. The evaluation of the timing of oral feeding could be useful in understanding the influence that these techniques could have on the development of sucking-swallow coordination. Moreover, the evaluation of the response to NCPAP and HHHFNC could clarify their efficacy as a treatment for RDS in extremely preterm infants.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03548324. Registered on 7 June 2018.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-3119-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Enteral Nutrition Practices in Critically Ill Children Requiring Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the practice of providing enteral nutrition in critically ill children requiring noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

PICU within a quaternary care children's hospital.

PATIENTS

PICU patients older than 30 days requiring noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for greater than or equal to 24 hours from August 2014 to June 2015. Invasive mechanical ventilation prior to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and inability to receive enteral nutrition at baseline were additional exclusionary criteria.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was enteral nutrition initiation within 24 hours of admission. Secondary outcomes included time to goal enteral nutrition rate, adequacy of nutrition, adverse events (pneumonia not present at admission, intubation after enteral nutrition initiation, feeding tube misplacement), and lengths of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and PICU stay. Among those included (n = 562), the median age was 2 years (interquartile range, 39 d to 6.8 yr), 54% had at least one chronic condition, and 43% had malnutrition at baseline. The most common primary diagnosis was bronchiolitis/viral pneumonia. The median length of time on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was 2 days (interquartile range, 2.0-4.0). Most (83%) required continuous positive airway pressure or bi-level support during their PICU course. Sixty-four percent started enteral nutrition within 24 hours, with 72% achieving goal enteral nutrition rate within 72 hours. Forty-nine percent and 44% received an adequate cumulative calorie and protein intake, respectively, during their PICU admission. Oral feeding was the most common delivery method. On multivariable analysis, use of bi-level noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25-0.63) and continuous dexmedetomidine (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35-0.97) were independently associated with decreased likelihood of early enteral nutrition. Twelve percent of patients had at least one adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of patients requiring noninvasive positive pressure ventilation received enteral nutrition within 24 hours. However, less than half achieved caloric and protein goals during their PICU admission. Further investigation is warranted to determine the safety and effectiveness of early enteral nutrition in this population.