Preterm dietary study: meal frequency, regurgitation and the surprisingly high use of laxatives among formula-fed infants following discharge

Screening for functional gastrointestinal disorders in preterm infants up to 12 months of corrected age: a prospective cohort study

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are characterized by a variety of symptoms that are frequently age-dependent, chronic, or recurrent and are not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. There are studies in the literature reporting different results regarding the relationship between prematurity and FGIDs. The main objective of this study was to compare the frequency of FGIDs between preterm and term infants. The secondary objective was to evaluate whether there was any association between neonatal characteristics and development of FGIDs. A multicenter prospective cohort study that included preterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation and healthy term infants was carried out. At 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age, infants were assessed for the presence of FGIDs using the Rome IV criteria. In preterm infants, an additional follow-up visit was made at 12 months corrected age. 134 preterm and 104 term infants were enrolled in the study. Infantile colic, rumination syndrome, functional constipation, and infant dyschezia were more common in preterm infants. Incidence of other FGIDs (infant regurgitation, functional diarrhea and cyclic vomiting syndrome) were similar among preterm and term infants. Preterm infants who are exclusively breastfeed in the first 6 months of life have a lower incidence of infantile colic (18.8% vs 52.1%, p = 0.025). In terms of chronological age, FGIDs symptoms started later in preterm infants; this difference was statistically significant for infantile colic and regurgitation (median age 2 months vs 1 month, p < 0.001).   Conclusions: Preterm infants have a higher prevalence of FGIDs compared with term controls. Therefore, especially if they have gastrointestinal complaints, they should be screened for FGIDs. Possibly due to maturational differences, the time of occurrence of FGIDs may differ in preterm infants. Infantile colic incidence decreases with exclusive breastfeeding. What is Known: • The functional gastrointestinal disorders are a very common in infancy. • Data on preterm infants with FGIDs are currently very limited. What is New: • Preterm infants have a higher incidence of infantile colic, rumination syndrome, functional constipation and infant dyschezia when compared to term infants. • Preterm infants who are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of life experience a lower incidence of infantile colic.

A Randomized, Controlled Study to Investigate How Bovine Colostrum Fortification of Human Milk Affects Bowel Habits in Preterm Infants (FortiColos Study)

Background: Human milk does not meet the nutritional needs to support optimal growth of very preterm infants during the first weeks of life. Nutrient fortifiers are therefore added to human milk, though these products are suspected to increase gut dysmotility. The objective was to evaluate whether fortification with bovine colostrum (BC) improves bowel habits compared to a conventional fortifier (CF) in very preterm infants. Methods: In an unblinded, randomized study, 242 preterm infants (26−31 weeks of gestation) were randomized to receive BC (BC, Biofiber Damino, Gesten, Denmark) or CF (FM85 PreNAN, Nestlé, Vevey, Switzerland) as a fortifier. Stools (Amsterdam Stool Scale), bowel gas restlessness, stomach appearance score, volume, and frequency of gastric residuals were recorded before each meal until 35 weeks post-menstrual age. Results: As intake of fortifiers increased, stools became harder in both groups (p < 0.01) though less in BC infants (p < 0.05). The incidence of bowel gas restlessness increased with laxative treatments and days of fortification in both groups (p < 0.01), but laxatives were prescribed later in BC infants (p < 0.01). With advancing age, stomach appearance scores improved, but more so in BC infants (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Although there are limitations, a minimally processed, bioactive milk product such as BC induced similar or slightly improved bowel habits in preterm infants.

Prematurity and functional gastrointestinal disorders in infancy: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are defined as a variable combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms that are not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. Their relationship with prematurity has been increasingly studied.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the frequency of FGIDs in preterm and term infants and to evaluate whether invasive procedures during the neonatal period in preterm infants are associated with greater likelihood of FGIDs in the first two years of life.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Controlled nested cross-sectional study conducted in a Brazilian university hospital.

METHODS

This was a controlled nested cross-sectional study on a retrospective cohort of infants born preterm who were compared with infants born at term regarding the presence of FGIDs. Medical consultations were conducted by a single pediatric gastroenterologist to obtain information on the gestational and neonatal periods and on clinical manifestations of the digestive tract. The Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of FGIDs were used.

RESULTS

A total of 197 infants (< 24 months), including 99 preterm and 98 term infants, were studied. Infant regurgitation was more prevalent in term infants (35.1% and 15.6%; P < 0.001). The frequencies of other FGIDs (infant colic, functional constipation, functional diarrhea and infant dyschezia) in preterm infants did not differ from those of term infants (P > 0.05). No relationship was found between invasive procedures during the neonatal period and development of FGIDs in preterm infants.

CONCLUSION

Infants born preterm did not have higher frequency of FGIDs in the first two years of life.

The nutritional needs of moderate–late preterm infants

This article discusses the nutritional needs of moderate and late preterm infants (born between 32+0weeks and 36+6weeks' gestation) and makes recommendations for best practice both while these infants are in hospital and when they are discharged into the community. These recommendations were derived following a roundtable meeting of a group comprising two neonatologists, three paediatric dietitians, a health visitor/paediatric nurse and a midwife practitioner. The meeting and medical writing assistance was sponsored by Nutricia. None of the participants accepted honoraria for their contributions to the discussion.

High preterm birth at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital as a national referral hospital in Indonesia

Background: Preterm birth is the leading direct that causes neonatal death. Indonesia was listed as one of the countries with the greatest number of preterm birth in 2010. This study aims to identify the prevalence and the potential risk factors of preterm birth among women underwent delivery in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, an Indonesian national reference hospital.Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved 2,612 women who delivered between January and December 2013. Any clinical data which related to the potential risk factors and outcomes were recorded. The data were managed using chi-square for bivariate analysis and t-test or Mann-Whitney for numerical data followed by multiple logistic regression for multivariate analysis in SPSS version 20.0.Results: Preterm birth affected 1,020 of 2,616 pregnancies (38.5%). Non-booked patients increased nearly twice risk for preterm delivery (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.37–2.61). While women with singleton pregnancy (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.12–0.25), head presentation (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63–0.89), and regular ANC (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54–0.84) had lower risk for preterm birth. Apgar score, birthweight, and mode of delivery were significantly different between the pre-term group and the full-term group.Conclusion: Prevalence of preterm birth in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital was approximately 2.5 times higher compared to the national number. Several factors reducing preterm birth rate include singleton pregnancy, head presentation, and regular ANC.