Variation in Enteral Feeding Practices and Growth Outcomes among Very Premature Infants: A Report from the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative

Multidisciplinary evidence-based tools for improving consistency of care and neonatal nutrition

BACKGROUND

Extrauterine growth restriction from inadequate nutrition remains a significant morbidity in very low birth weight infants. Participants in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative Quality Improvement Collaborative, Grow, Babies, Grow! developed or refined tools to improve nutrition and reduce practice variation.

METHOD

Five Neonatal Intensive Care Units describe the development and implementation of nutrition tools. Tools include Parenteral Nutrition Guidelines, Automated Feeding Protocol, electronic medical record Order Set, Nutrition Time-Out Rounding Tool, and a Discharge Nutrition Recommendations. 15 of 22 participant sites completed a survey regarding tool value and implementation.

RESULTS

Reduced growth failure at discharge was observed in four of five NICUs, 11-32% improvement. Tools assisted with earlier TPN initiation (8 h) and reaching full feeds (2-5 days). TPN support decreased by 5 days. 80% of survey respondents rated the tools as valuable.

CONCLUSION

Evidence and consensus-based nutrition tools help promote standardization, leading to improved and sustainable outcomes.

Re-feeding versus discarding gastric residuals to improve growth in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Routine monitoring of gastric residuals in preterm infants on tube feeds is a common practice in neonatal intensive care units used to guide initiation and advancement of enteral feeding. There is a paucity of consensus on whether to re-feed or discard the aspirated gastric residuals. While re-feeding gastric residuals may aid in digestion and promote gastrointestinal motility and maturation by replacing partially digested milk, gastrointestinal enzymes, hormones, and trophic substances, abnormal residuals may result in vomiting, necrotising enterocolitis, or sepsis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of re-feeding when compared to discarding gastric residuals in preterm infants.  SEARCH METHODS: Searches were conducted in February 2022 in Cochrane CENTRAL via CRS, Ovid MEDLINE and Embase, and CINAHL. We also searched clinical trial databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We selected RCTs that compared re-feeding versus discarding gastric residuals in preterm infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and extracted data, in duplicate. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous data and the mean difference (MD) for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We found one eligible trial that included 72 preterm infants. The trial was unmasked but was otherwise of good methodological quality. Re-feeding gastric residual may have little or no effect on time to regain birth weight (MD 0.40 days, 95% CI -2.89 to 3.69; 59 infants; low-certainty evidence), risk of necrotising enterocolitis stage ≥ 2 or spontaneous intestinal perforation (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.04; 72 infants; low-certainty evidence), all-cause mortality before hospital discharge (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.85; 72 infants; low-certainty evidence), time to establish enteral feeds ≥ 120 mL/kg/d (MD -1.30 days, 95% CI -2.93 to 0.33; 59 infants; low-certainty evidence), number of total parenteral nutrition days (MD -0.30 days, 95% CI -2.07 to 1.47; 59 infants; low-certainty evidence), and risk of extrauterine growth restriction at discharge (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.38 to 4.34; 59 infants; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain as to the effect of re-feeding gastric residual on number of episodes of feed interruption lasting for ≥ 12 hours (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.52; 59 infants; very low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found only limited data from one small unmasked trial on the efficacy and safety of re-feeding gastric residuals in preterm infants. Low-certainty evidence suggests re-feeding gastric residual may have little or no effect on important clinical outcomes such as necrotising enterocolitis, all-cause mortality before hospital discharge, time to establish enteral feeds, number of total parenteral nutrition days, and in-hospital weight gain. A large RCT is needed to assess the efficacy and safety of re-feeding of gastric residuals in preterm infants with adequate certainty of evidence to inform policy and practice.

Routine monitoring of gastric residual for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Routine monitoring of gastric residual in preterm infants on gavage feeds is a common practice used to guide initiation and advancement of feeds. It is believed that an increase in or an altered gastric residual may be predictive of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Withholding monitoring of gastric residual may take away the early indicator and thus may increase the risk of NEC. However, routine monitoring of gastric residual as a guide, in the absence of uniform standards, may lead to unnecessary delay in initiation and advancement of feeds and hence might result in a delay in establishing full enteral feeds. This in turn may increase the duration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and central venous line usage, increasing the risk of associated complications. Furthermore, delays in establishing full enteral feeds increase the risk of extrauterine growth restriction and neurodevelopmental impairment.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the efficacy and safety of routine monitoring versus no monitoring of gastric residual in preterm infants • To assess the efficacy and safety of routine monitoring of gastric residual based on two different criteria for interrupting feeds or decreasing feed volume in preterm infants SEARCH METHODS: We conducted searches in Cochrane CENTRAL via CRS, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL in February 2022. We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi- and cluster-RCTs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We selected RCTs that compared routine monitoring versus no monitoring of gastric residual and trials that used two different criteria for gastric residual to interrupt feeds in preterm infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility, risk of bias and extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous data, and mean difference (MD) for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). We calculated the number needed to treat for an additional beneficial/harmful outcome (NNTB/NNTH) for dichotomous outcomes with significant results. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included five studies (423 infants) in this updated review. Routine monitoring versus no routine monitoring of gastric residual in preterm infants Four RCTs with 336 preterm infants met the inclusion criteria for this comparison. Three studies were performed in infants with birth weight of < 1500 g, while one study included infants with birth weight between 750 g and 2000 g. The trials were unmasked but were otherwise of good methodological quality. Routine monitoring of gastric residual:  - probably has little or no effect on the risk of NEC (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.46 to 2.57; 334 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence); - probably increases the time to establish full enteral feeds (MD 3.14 days, 95% CI 1.93 to 4.36; 334 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence); - may increase the time to regain birth weight (MD 1.70 days, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.39; 80 participants, 1 study; low-certainty evidence);  - may increase the number of infants with feed interruption episodes (RR 2.21, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.20; NNTH 3, 95% CI 2 to 5; 191 participants, 3 studies; low-certainty evidence);  - probably increases the number of TPN days (MD 2.57 days, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.95; 334 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence); - probably increases the risk of invasive infection (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.19; NNTH 10, 95% CI 5 to 100; 334 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence); - may result in little or no difference in all-cause mortality before hospital discharge (RR 2.14, 95% CI 0.77 to 5.97; 273 participants, 3 studies; low-certainty evidence). Quality and volume of gastric residual compared to quality of gastric residual alone for feed interruption in preterm infants One trial with 87 preterm infants met the inclusion criteria for this comparison. The trial included infants with 1500 g to 2000 g birth weight.  Using two different criteria of gastric residual for feed interruption: - may result in little or no difference in the incidence of NEC (RR 5.35, 95% CI 0.26 to 108.27; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence);  - may result in little or no difference in time to establish full enteral feeds (MD -0.10 days, 95% CI -0.91 to 0.71; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence); - may result in little or no difference in time to regain birth weight (MD 1.00 days, 95% CI -0.37 to 2.37; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence); - may result in little or no difference in number of TPN days (MD 0.80 days, 95% CI -0.78 to 2.38; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence); - may result in little or no difference in the risk of invasive infection (RR 5.35, 95% CI 0.26 to 108.27; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence); - may result in little or no difference in all-cause mortality before hospital discharge (RR 3.21, 95% CI 0.13 to 76.67; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence).  - we are uncertain about the effect of using two different criteria of gastric residual on the risk of feed interruption episodes (RR 3.21, 95% CI 0.13 to 76.67; 87 participants; very low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-certainty evidence suggests routine monitoring of gastric residual has little or no effect on the incidence of NEC. Moderate-certainty evidence suggests monitoring gastric residual probably increases the time to establish full enteral feeds, the number of TPN days and the risk of invasive infection. Low-certainty evidence suggests monitoring gastric residual may increase the time to regain birth weight and the number of feed interruption episodes, and may have little or no effect on all-cause mortality before hospital discharge. Further RCTs are warranted to assess the effect on long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Development and validation of machine learning-based clinical decision support tool for identifying malnutrition in NICU patients

Hospitalized newborns have an increased risk of malnutrition and, especially preterm infants, often experience malnutrition-related extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR). The aim of this study was to predict the discharge weight and the presence of weight gain at discharge with machine learning (ML) algorithms. The demographic and clinical parameters were used to develop the models using fivefold cross-validation in the software-R with a neonatal nutritional screening tool (NNST). A total of 512 NICU patients were prospectively included in the study. Length of hospital stay (LOS), parenteral nutrition treatment (PN), postnatal age (PNA), surgery, and sodium were the most important variables in predicting the presence of weight gain at discharge with a random forest classification (AUROC:0.847). The AUROC of NNST-Plus, which was improved by adding LOS, PN, PNA, surgery, and sodium to NNST, increased by 16.5%. In addition, weight at admission, LOS, gestation-adjusted age at admission (> 40 weeks), sex, gestational age, birth weight, PNA, SGA, complications of labor and delivery, multiple birth, serum creatinine, and PN treatment were the most important variables in predicting discharge weight with an elastic net regression (R² = 0.748). This is the first study on the early prediction of EUGR with promising clinical performance based on ML algorithms. It is estimated that the incidence of EUGR can be improved with the implementation of this ML-based web tool ( http://www.softmed.hacettepe.edu.tr/NEO-DEER/ ) in clinical practice.

Impact of time to full enteral feeding on long-term neurodevelopment without mediating by postnatal growth failure in very-low-birth-weight-infants

This study aimed to determine if time to achieve full enteral feeding (TFF) directly impacted long-term neurodevelopmental delay (NDD) and whether long-term postnatal growth failure (PGF) was a mediator of this association in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Using prospectively collected cohort data from the Korean Neonatal Network, we included eligible VLBW infants who achieved TFF at least once and classified enrolled infants into four groups using exposure severity (P1 to P4 as TFF < 16, 16-30, 31-45, and > 45 postnatal days, respectively). After adjusting for confounding variables, survival without NDD was significantly decreased in P4 infants compared with that in P2 infants. P1 infants had a lower risk of weight and height PGF than P2 infants; however, P4 infants had higher risks of height and head circumference PGF than P2 infants. Weight and height PGF were significantly associated with an increased risk of NDD. In mediation analysis, early and delayed TFF revealed direct positive and negative impacts, respectively, on the risk of NDD without mediation by PGF. TFF impacted survival without NDD, and PGF did not mediate this association in VLBW infants. Additionally, these results can be translated into evidence-based quality improvement practice.

Growth of Very Preterm Infants in a Low-Resourced Rural Setting after Affiliation with a Human Milk Bank

The extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) of very preterm infants has been associated with long-term complications and neurodevelopmental problems. EUGR has been reported at higher rates in low resource settings. There is limited research investigating how metropolitan human milk banks contribute to the growth outcomes of very preterm infants cared in rural areas. The setting of this study is located at a rural county in Taiwan and affiliated with the Taiwan Southern Human Milk Bank. Donor human milk was provided through a novel supplemental system. A renewal nutritional protocol was initiated as a quality improvement project after the affiliated program. This study aimed to compare the clinical morbidities and growth outcome at term equivalent age (TEA) of preterm infants less than 33 weeks of gestational age before (Epoch-I, July 2015–June 2018, n = 40) and after the new implementation (Epoch-II, July 2018–December 2020, n = 42). The Epoch-II group significantly increased in bodyweight z-score at TEA ((−0.02 ± 1.00) versus Epoch-I group (−0.84 ± 1.08), p = 0.002). In multivariate regression models, the statistical difference between two epochs in bodyweight z-score changes from birth to TEA was still noted. Modern human milk banks may facilitate the nutritional protocol renewal in rural areas and improve the growth outcomes of very preterm infants cared for. Establishing more distribution sites of milk banks should be encouraged.

Variation in Neonatal Nutrition Practice and Implications: A Survey of Australia and New Zealand Neonatal Units

Background: Significant global variation exists in neonatal nutrition practice, including in assigned milk composition values, donor milk usage, fortification regimens, probiotic choice and in methods used to calculate and report nutrition and growth outcomes, making it difficult to synthesize data to inform evidence-based, standardized nutritional care that has potential to improve neonatal outcomes. The Australasian Neonatal Dietitians' Network (ANDiN) conducted a survey to determine the degree to which neonatal nutritional care varies across Australia and New Zealand (A&NZ) and to highlight potential implications.

Materials and Methods: A two-part electronic neonatal nutritional survey was emailed to each ANDiN member (n = 50). Part-One was designed to examine individual dietetic practice; Part-Two examined site-specific nutrition policies and practices. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the distribution of responses.

Results: Survey response rate: 88%. Across 24 NICU sites, maximum fluid targets varied (150–180 mL.kg.d⁻¹); macronutrient composition estimates for mothers' own(MOM) and donor (DM) milk varied (Energy (kcal.dL⁻¹) MOM: 65–72; DM 69–72: Protein (g.dL⁻¹): MOM: 1.0–1.5; DM: 0.8–1.3); pasteurized DM or unpasteurized peer-to-peer DM was not available in all units; milk fortification commenced at different rates and volumes; a range of energy values (kcal.g⁻¹) for protein (3.8–4.0), fat (9.0–10.0), and carbohydrate (3.8–4.0) were used to calculate parenteral and enteral intakes; probiotic choice differed; and at least seven different preterm growth charts were employed to monitor growth.

Discussion: Our survey identifies variation in preterm nutrition practice across A&NZ of sufficient magnitude to impact nutrition interventions and neonatal outcomes. This presents an opportunity to use the unique skillset of neonatal dietitians to standardize practice, reduce uncertainty of neonatal care and improve the quality of neonatal research.

High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Human milk is the best enteral nutrition for preterm infants. However, human milk, given at standard recommended volumes, is not adequate to meet the protein, energy, and other nutrient requirements of preterm or low birth weight infants. One strategy that may be used to address the potential nutrient deficits is to give a higher volume of enteral feeds. High volume feeds may improve nutrient accretion and growth, and in turn may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, there are concerns that high volume feeds may cause feed intolerance, necrotising enterocolitis, or complications related to fluid overload such as patent ductus arteriosus and chronic lung disease. This is an update of a review published in 2017.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect on growth and safety of high versus standard volume enteral feeds in preterm or low birth weight infants. In infants who were fed fortified human milk or preterm formula, high and standard volume feeds were defined as > 180 mL/kg/day and ≤ 180 mL/kg/day, respectively. In infants who were fed unfortified human milk or term formula, high and standard volume feeds were defined as > 200 mL/kg/day and ≤ 200 mL/kg/day, respectively.

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2020 Issue 6) in the Cochrane Library; Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to June 2020); Embase (1974 to June 2020); and CINAHL (inception to June 2020); Maternity & Infant Care Database (MIDIRS) (1971 to April 2020); as well as previous reviews, and trial registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared high versus standard volume enteral feeds for preterm or low birth weight infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported risk ratio (RR) and risk difference for dichotomous data, and mean difference (MD) for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. The primary outcomes were weight gain, linear and head growth during hospital stay, and extrauterine growth restriction at discharge.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two new RCTs (283 infants) in this update. In total, we included three trials (347 infants) in this updated review. High versus standard volume feeds with fortified human milk or preterm formula Two trials (283 infants) met the inclusion criteria for this comparison. Both were of good methodological quality, except for lack of masking. Both trials were performed in infants born at < 32 weeks' gestation. Meta-analysis of data from both trials showed high volume feeds probably improves weight gain during hospital stay (MD 2.58 g/kg/day, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.76; participants = 271; moderate-certainty evidence). High volume feeds may have little or no effect on linear growth (MD 0.05 cm/week, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.13; participants = 271; low-certainty evidence), head growth (MD 0.02 cm/week, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.09; participants = 271; low-certainty evidence), and extrauterine growth restriction at discharge (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.02; participants = 271; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect of high volume feeds with fortified human milk or preterm formula on the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.12 to 4.51; participants = 283; very-low certainty evidence). High versus standard volume feeds with unfortified human milk or term formula One trial with 64 very low birth weight infants met the inclusion criteria for this comparison. This trial was unmasked but otherwise of good methodological quality. High volume feeds probably improves weight gain during hospital stay (MD 6.2 g/kg/day, 95% CI 2.71 to 9.69; participants = 61; moderate-certainty evidence). The trial did not provide data on linear and head growth, and extrauterine growth restriction at discharge. We are uncertain as to the effect of high volume feeds with unfortified human milk or term formula on the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.07 to 15.78; participants = 61; very low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

High volume feeds (≥ 180 mL/kg/day of fortified human milk or preterm formula, or ≥ 200 mL/kg/day of unfortified human milk or term formula) probably improves weight gain during hospital stay. The available data is inadequate to draw conclusions on the effect of high volume feeds on other growth and clinical outcomes. A large RCT is needed to provide data of sufficient quality and precision to inform policy and practice.

Plasma Metabolome Alterations Associated with Extrauterine Growth Restriction

Very preterm infants (VPI, born at or before 32 weeks of gestation) are at risk of adverse health outcomes, from which they might be partially protected with appropriate postnatal nutrition and growth. Metabolic processes or biochemical markers associated to extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) have not been identified. We applied untargeted metabolomics to plasma samples of VPI with adequate weight for gestational age at birth and with different growth trajectories (29 well-grown, 22 EUGR) at the time of hospital discharge. A multivariate analysis showed significantly higher levels of amino-acids in well-grown patients. Other metabolites were also identified as statistically significant in the comparison between groups. Relevant differences (with corrections for multiple comparison) were found in levels of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and other lipids. Levels of many of the biochemical species decreased progressively as the level of growth restriction increased in severity. In conclusion, an untargeted metabolomic approach uncovered previously unknown differences in the levels of a range of plasma metabolites between well grown and EUGR infants at the time of discharge. Our findings open speculation about pathways involved in growth failure in preterm infants and the long-term relevance of this metabolic differences, as well as helping in the definition of potential biomarkers.

Development and use of an adjusted nurse staffing metric in the neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To develop a nurse staffing prediction model and evaluate deviation from predicted nurse staffing as a contributor to patient outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Secondary data collection conducted 2017-2018, using the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative databases. We included 276 054 infants born 2008-2016 and cared for in 99 California neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

STUDY DESIGN

Repeated-measures observational study. We developed a nurse staffing prediction model using machine learning and hierarchical linear regression and then quantified deviation from predicted nurse staffing in relation to health care-associated infections, length of stay, and mortality using hierarchical logistic and linear regression.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

We linked NICU-level nurse staffing and organizational data to patient-level risk factors and outcomes using unique identifiers for NICUs and patients.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

An 11-factor prediction model explained 35 percent of the nurse staffing variation among NICUs. Higher-than-predicted nurse staffing was associated with decreased risk-adjusted odds of health care-associated infection (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63-0.98), but not with length of stay or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Organizational and patient factors explain much of the variation in nurse staffing. Higher-than-predicted nurse staffing was associated with fewer infections. Prospective studies are needed to determine causality and to quantify the impact of staffing reforms on health outcomes.

Applying Methods for Postnatal Growth Assessment in the Clinical Setting: Evaluation in a Longitudinal Cohort of Very Preterm Infants

AIM

To analyze different methods to assess postnatal growth in a cohort of very premature infants (VPI) in a clinical setting and identify potential early markers of growth failure.

METHODS

Study of growth determinants in VPI (≤32 weeks) during hospital stay. Nutritional intakes and clinical evolution were recorded. Growth velocity (GV: g/kg/day), extrauterine growth restriction (%) (EUGR: weight < 10th centile, z-score < -1.28) and postnatal growth failure (PGF: fall in z-score > 1.34) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were calculated. Associations between growth and clinical or nutritional variables were explored (linear and logistic regression).

RESULTS

Sample: 197 VPI. GV in IUGR patients was higher than in non-IUGRs (28 days of life and discharge). At 36 weeks PMA 66.0% of VPIs, including all but one of the IUGR patients, were EUGR. Prevalence of PGF at the same time was 67.4% (IUGR patients: 48.1%; non-IUGRs: 70.5% (p = 0.022)). Variables related to PGF at 36 weeks PMA were initial weight loss (%), need for oxygen and lower parenteral lipids in the first week.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of z-scores was better suited to identify postnatal growth faltering. PGF could be reduced by minimising initial weight loss and assuring adequate nutrition in patients at risk.

Routine monitoring of gastric residual for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Routine monitoring of gastric residual in preterm infants on gavage feeds is a common practice that is used to guide initiation and advancement of feeds. Some literature suggests that an increase in/or an altered gastric residual may be predictive of necrotising enterocolitis. Withholding monitoring of gastric residual may take away the early indicator and thus may increase the risk of necrotising enterocolitis. However, routine monitoring of gastric residual as a guide, in the absence of uniform standards, may lead to unnecessary delay in initiation and advancement of feeds and delay in reaching full enteral feeds. This in turn may increase the duration of parenteral nutrition and central venous line usage, increasing their complications. Delay in achieving full enteral feeds increases the risk of extrauterine growth restriction and neurodevelopmental impairment.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the efficacy and safety of routine monitoring of gastric residual versus no monitoring of gastric residual in preterm infants• To assess the efficacy and safety of routine monitoring of gastric residual based on two different criteria for interrupting feeds or decreasing feed volume in preterm infantsWe planned to undertake subgroup analysis based on gestational age (≤ 27 weeks, 28 weeks to 31 weeks, ≥ 32 weeks), birth weight (< 1000 g, 1000 g to 1499 g, ≥ 1500 g), small for gestational age versus appropriate for gestational age infants (classified using birth weight relative to the reference population), type of feed the infant is receiving (human milk or formula milk), and frequency of monitoring of gastric residual (before every feed, before every third feed, etc.) (see "Subgroup analysis and investigation of heterogeneity").

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 1), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 19 February 2018), Embase (1980 to 19 February 2018), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1982 to 19 February 2018). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We selected randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared routine monitoring of gastric residual versus no monitoring or two different criteria of gastric residual to interrupt feeds in preterm infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported the risk ratio and the risk difference for dichotomous data, and the mean difference for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals. We used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

Two randomised controlled trials with a total of 141 preterm infants met the inclusion criteria for the comparison of routine monitoring versus no monitoring of gastric residual in preterm infants. Both trials were done in infants with birth weight < 1500 g.Routine monitoring of gastric residual may have little or no effect on the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (risk ratio (RR) 3.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 to 18.77; participants = 141; studies = 2; low-quality evidence). Routine monitoring may increase the risk of feed interruption episodes (RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.39 to 3.07; participants = 141; studies = 2; low-quality evidence); the number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) was 3 (95% CI 2 to 6).Routine monitoring of gastric residual may increase time taken to establish full enteral feeds (mean difference (MD) 3.92, 95% CI 2.06 to 5.77 days; participants = 141; studies = 2; low-quality evidence), time taken to regain birth weight (MD 1.70, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.39 days; participants = 80; studies = 1; low-quality evidence), and number of total parenteral nutrition days (MD 3.29, 95% CI 1.66 to 4.92 days; participants = 141; studies = 2; low-quality evidence).We are uncertain as to the effect of routine monitoring of gastric residual on other outcomes such as incidence of surgical necrotising enterocolitis, extrauterine growth restriction at discharge, parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, duration of central venous line (CVL) usage, incidence of invasive infection, mortality before discharge, and duration of hospital stay. We found no data for outcomes such as aspiration pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux, growth measures following discharge, and neurodevelopmental outcome.Only one trial with 87 preterm infants met the inclusion criteria for the comparison of using two different criteria of gastric residual to interrupt feeds while monitoring gastric residual. The trial was done in infants with birth weight of 1500 to 2000 g. We are uncertain as to the effect of using two different criteria of gastric residual on outcomes such as incidence of necrotising enterocolitis or surgical necrotising enterocolitis, time to establish full enteral feeds, time to regain birth weight, number of total parenteral nutrition days, number of infants experiencing feed interruption episodes, extrauterine growth restriction at discharge, parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, incidence of invasive infection, and mortality before discharge (very low quality evidence). We found no data on duration of CVL usage, aspiration pneumonia, gastroesophageal reflux, duration of hospital stay, growth measures following discharge, and neurodevelopmental outcome.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Review authors found insufficient evidence as to whether routine monitoring of gastric residual reduces the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis because trial results are imprecise. Low-quality evidence suggests that routine monitoring of gastric residual increases the risk of feed interruption episodes, increases the time taken to reach full enteral feeds and to regain birth weight, and increases the number of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) days.Available data are insufficient to comment on other major outcomes such as incidence of invasive infection, parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, mortality before discharge, extrauterine growth restriction at discharge, number of CVL days, and duration of hospital stay. Further randomised controlled trials are warranted to provide more precise estimates of the effects of routine monitoring of gastric residual on important outcomes, especially necrotising enterocolitis, in preterm infants.

Re-feeding versus discarding gastric residuals to improve growth in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Routine monitoring of gastric residuals in preterm infants on gavage feeds is a common practice in many neonatal intensive care units and is used to guide the initiation and advancement of feeds. No guidelines or consensus is available on whether to re-feed or discard the aspirated gastric residuals. Although re-feeding gastric residuals may replace partially digested milk, gastrointestinal enzymes, hormones, and trophic substances that aid in digestion and promote gastrointestinal motility and maturation, re-feeding abnormal residuals may result in emesis, necrotising enterocolitis, or sepsis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of re-feeding compared to discarding gastric residuals in preterm infants. The allocation should have been started in the first week of life and should have been continued at least until the baby reached full enteral feeds. The investigator could have chosen to discard the gastric residual in the re-feeding group, if the gastric residual quality was not satisfactory. However, the criteria for discarding gastric residual should have been predefined.To conduct subgroup analysis based on gestational age (≤ 27 weeks, 28 weeks to 31 weeks, ≥ 32 weeks), birth weight (< 1000 g, 1000 g to 1499 g, ≥ 1500 g), type of milk (human milk or formula milk), quality of the gastric residual (fresh milk, curded milk, or bile-stained gastric residual), volume of gastric residual replaced (total volume, 50% of the volume, volume of the next feed, or prespecified volume, irrespective of the volume of the aspirate, e.g. 2 mL, 3 mL), and whether the volume of gastric residual that is re-fed is included in or excluded from the volume of the next feed (see "Subgroup analysis and investigation of heterogeneity").

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 1), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 19 February 2018), Embase (1980 to 19 February 2018), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to 19 February 2018). We also searched clinical trial databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared re-feeding versus discarding gastric residuals in preterm infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported the risk ratio and risk difference for dichotomous data, and the mean difference for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals. We used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We found one eligible trial that included 72 preterm infants. This trial was not blinded.We are uncertain as to the effect of re-feeding gastric residual on efficacy outcomes such as time to regain birth weight (mean difference (MD) 0.40 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.89 to 3.69 days; very low quality evidence), time to reach enteral feeds ≥ 120 mL/kg/d (MD -1.30 days, 95% CI -2.93 to 0.33 days; very low quality evidence), number of infants with extrauterine growth restriction at discharge (risk ratio (RR) 1.29, 95% CI 0.38 to 4.34; very low quality evidence), duration of total parenteral nutrition (MD -0.30 days, 95% CI -2.07 to 1.47 days; very low quality evidence), and length of hospital stay (MD -1.90 days, 95% CI -25.27 to 21.47 days; very low quality evidence).Similarly, we are uncertain as to the effect of re-feeding gastric residual on safety outcomes such as incidence of stage 2 or 3 necrotising enterocolitis and/or spontaneous intestinal perforation (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.04; very low quality evidence), number of episodes of feed interruption lasting ≥ 12 hours (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.52; very low quality evidence), or mortality before discharge (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.85; low-quality evidence). We are uncertain as to the effect of re-feeding gastric residual in the subgroups of human milk-fed and formula-fed infants. We found no data on other outcomes such as linear and head growth during hospital stay, postdischarge growth, number of infants with parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found only limited data from one small unblinded trial on the efficacy and safety of re-feeding gastric residuals in preterm infants. The quality of evidence was low to very low. Hence, available evidence is insufficient to support or refute re-feeding of gastric residuals in preterm infants. A large, randomised controlled trial is needed to provide data of sufficient quality and precision to inform policy and practice.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes among extremely premature infants with linear growth restriction

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes in linear growth-restricted (LGR) infants born <29 weeks with and without weight gain out of proportion to linear growth.

STUDY DESIGN

We compared 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes between infants with and without LGR and between LGR infants with and without weight gain out of proportion to linear growth. The outcomes were Bayley-III cognitive, motor, and language scores, cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level ≥ 2, and neurodevelopmental impairment.

RESULT

In total, 1227 infants were analyzed. LGR infants were smaller and less mature at birth, had higher BMI, and had lower Bayley-III language scores (82.3 vs. 85.0, p < 0.05). Among infants with LGR, infants with high BMI had lower language scores compared with those with low-to-normal BMI (80.8 vs. 83.3, p < 0.05), and were more likely to have GMFCS level ≥2 and neurodevelopmental impairment.

CONCLUSION

Among infants with LGR, weight gain out of proportion to linear growth was associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Analysis of Nutrition Support in Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants With Extrauterine Growth Restriction

Objective

To assess the incidence of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in very low‐birth‐weight infants (VLBWIs) and evaluate the nutrition factors in VLBWIs associated with inadequate nutrient intakes during hospitalization.

Methods

A total of 128 VLBWIs were divided into an EUGR group (n = 87) and a non‐EUGR group (n = 41). Growth and parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) practices were analyzed. Actual energy and protein intakes were subtracted from recommended energy (120 kcal/kg/d) and protein (3.75 g/kg/d) intakes, and nutrition deficits were calculated.

Results

Growth restriction was 21.9% at birth and 68.0% at discharge. Compared with established guidelines, PN was started late, and the maximum amino acid intake was low in both groups. EN interruption rate was higher in the EUGR group. The average energy intake in the first day after PN termination was lower in the EUGR group. There were significant differences in actual energy and protein intakes in the 2 groups for several weeks during hospitalization. The cumulative energy and protein deficits were significantly higher in the first 8 weeks and during the third to seventh weeks in the EUGR group, respectively. Step regression analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between the cumulative deficit of energy and changes of weight z‐scores (r = −0.001, P < .05): as the energy deficit loss increased by 100 kcal, the weight z‐scores dropped by 0.1 SD.

Conclusion

Inadequate nutrition intake aggravated the occurrence of EUGR in VLBWIs, especially the energy intake.

Associations Between Enteral Nutrition and Acute Respiratory Infection Among Patients in New York Metropolitan Region Pediatric Long-Term Care Facilities

BACKGROUND

Pediatric long-term care facilities (pLTCF) serve a complicated and resource-intensive patient population with high usage of nutrition support. However, the relationship between nutrition support and outcomes among pLTCF residents is not well understood. We described this relationship in three metropolitan New York pLTCF and a subsample of infants from one of these facilities with a feeding disorders unit.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we used logistic regression to assess relationships between enteral nutrition (EN), and acute respiratory infections (ARI) among residents (n = 720, 50% male, mean age = 5.5 years, mean number comorbidities = 2.1) and infant subsample (<1 year, n = 208, 50% male, mean number comorbidities = 2.0). We tested these associations in multivariable models controlling for numbers of comorbidities and infections.

RESULTS

Many residents received nutrition via percutaneous (59%) or nasogastric (15%) feeding tubes. In univariate analyses, residents receiving EN had more comorbidities. In multivariable analyses, EN was associated with ARI (incidence rate ratio = 1.65, p < .001). Among infants in the specialized unit, greater risk of ARI was associated only with percutaneous (incidence rate ratio = 1.94, p < .01) feeding. EN was associated with lower odds of being discharged home (OR = 0.45, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of EN, complexity of cases, and necessity of long-term EN make nutrition support important in pLTCFs. Differences in EN types and adverse outcomes in the infant subsample suggest different care is necessary for this subpopulation. Results provide context for improving quality of care and clinician/caregiver education for this population.

High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Breast milk alone, given at standard recommended volumes (150 to 180 mL/kg/d), is not adequate to meet the protein, energy, and other nutrient requirements of growing preterm or low birth weight infants. One strategy that may be used to address these potential nutrient deficits is to give infants enteral feeds in excess of 200 mL/kg/d ('high-volume' feeds). This approach may increase nutrient uptake and growth rates, but concerns include that high-volume enteral feeds may cause feed intolerance, gastro-oesophageal reflux, aspiration pneumonia, necrotising enterocolitis, or complications related to fluid overload, including patent ductus arteriosus and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect on growth and safety of feeding preterm or low birth weight infants with high (> 200 mL/kg/d) versus standard (≤ 200 mL/kg/d) volume of enteral feeds. Infants in intervention and control groups should have received the same type of milk (breast milk, formula, or both), the same fortification or micronutrient supplements, and the same enteral feeding regimen (bolus, continuous) and rate of feed volume advancement.To conduct subgroup analyses based on type of milk (breast milk vs formula), gestational age or birth weight category of included infants (very preterm or VLBW vs preterm or LBW), presence of intrauterine growth restriction (using birth weight relative to the reference population as a surrogate), and income level of the country in which the trial was conducted (low or middle income vs high income) (see 'Subgroup analysis and investigation of heterogeneity').

SEARCH METHODS

We used the Cochrane Neonatal standard search strategy, which included searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2017, Issue 2) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (1946 to November 2016); Embase (1974 to November 2016); and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1982 to November 2016), as well as conference proceedings, previous reviews, and trial registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared high-volume versus standard-volume enteral feeds for preterm or low birth weight infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported the risk ratio and risk difference for dichotomous data, and the mean difference for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals. . We assessed the quality of evidence at the outcome level via the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We found one eligible trial that included 64 infants. This trial was not blinded. Analysis showed a higher rate of weight gain in the high-volume feeds group: mean difference 6.20 g/kg/d (95% confidence interval 2.71 to 9.69). There was no increase in the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis with high-volume feeds, but 95% confidence intervals around these estimates were wide. We assessed the quality of evidence for these outcomes as 'low' or 'very low' because of imprecision of the estimates of effect and concern about risk of bias due to lack of blinding in the included trial. Trial authors provided no data on other outcomes, including gastro-oesophageal reflux, aspiration pneumonia, necrotising enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or long-term growth and neurodevelopment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found only very limited data from one small unblinded trial on the effects of high-volume feeds on important outcomes for preterm or low birth weight infants. The quality of evidence is low to very low. Hence, available evidence is insufficient to support or refute high-volume enteral feeds in preterm or low birth weight infants. A large, pragmatic randomised controlled trial is needed to provide data of sufficient quality and precision to inform policy and practice.

Short versus Extended Duration of Trophic Feeding to Reduce Time to Achieve Full Enteral Feeding in Extremely Preterm Infants: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Trophic feeding compared to no enteral feeding prevents atrophy of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the practice of extending the duration of trophic feeding often delays initiation of full enteral feeding in extremely preterm infants. We hypothesized that a short duration of trophic feeding (3 days or less) is associated with early initiation of full enteral feeding.

METHODS

A total of 192 extremely preterm infants (23-28 weeks' gestation) born between 2013 and 2015 were included. Infants were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of trophic feeding (short vs. extended). The primary outcome was time to achieve full enteral feeding and the safety outcome was necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and/or death.

RESULTS

A short duration of trophic feeding was associated with a reduction in time to achieve full enteral feeding after adjustment for birth weight, gestational age, race, sex, type of enteral nutrition, and day of initiation of trophic feeding (mean difference favoring a short duration of trophic feeding: -4.1 days; 95% CI: -2.3 to -5.8; p < 0.001). A short duration of trophic feeding was not associated with a higher risk of NEC and/or death after achieving full enteral feeding (AOR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.30-2.77; p = 0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

A short duration of trophic feeding is associated with early initiation of full enteral feeding. A short duration of trophic feeding is not associated with a higher risk of NEC, but our study was underpowered for this safety outcome. Randomized trials are needed to test this study hypothesis.

Transitioning Preterm Infants From Parenteral Nutrition: A Comparison of 2 Protocols

BACKGROUND

Growth in preterm infants is compromised during the transition phase of nutrition, when parenteral nutrition (PN) volumes are weaned with advancing enteral nutrition (EN) feeds, likely due to suboptimal nutrient intakes during this time. We implemented new PN guidelines designed to maintain optimal nutrient intakes during the transition phase and compared growth outcomes of this cohort with a control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A chart review was conducted on infants born <32 weeks' gestation, before (control group) and after (study group) a new transition PN protocol was implemented in the neonatal intensive care unit. Weight parameters and nutrient intakes were calculated for the transition phase and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Demographic and clinical characteristics of the 2 groups were comparable except for higher rates of sepsis in control group. Weight-for-age z scores at birth, at 1 week of life, and at the start of the transition phase were similar. At the end of the transition phase, infants in the study group had significantly higher z scores compared with the control group, even when corrected for sepsis, a difference that persisted at 35 weeks' gestation. During the transition phase, study infants gained 16.1 ± 4.6 g/kg/d compared with 13.2 ± 5.4 g/kg/d in control group ( P < .001). Similar results were observed in the subset of expressed breastmilk-only fed infants (15.9 ± 4.6 g/kg/d in the study group compared with 13.2 ± 5.4 g/kg/d in the control group, P < .004).

CONCLUSION

Optimizing nutrition by the use of concentrated PN during the transition phase to maintain appropriate nutrient intakes improves growth rates in preterm infants.