Early Enteral Feeding of the Preterm Infant-Delay until Own Mother's Breastmilk Becomes Available? (Israel, 2012-2017)

AIM

To consider the question of whether to initiate trophic feeds with formula in the absence of own mother's breastmilk or to wait for breastmilk to be available.

METHODS

A retrospective study of infants born prior to 32 weeks of gestation during the period 2012-2017 at a single tertiary center in Tel Aviv, Israel. Three TF groups were defined: exclusive breastmilk, mixed, and exclusive formula. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Logistic regression was used, and adjusted odds ratio and 95% interval were reported.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis demonstrated that infants in the exclusive breastmilk group were born earlier, had lower birth weights and lower Apgar scores, were given lower volumes of TF, and were more likely to have a longer hospital stay. Poor composite outcome was more common among the exclusive breastmilk group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed no differences in incidence of early neonatal morbidities between the groups, except for longer duration of parenteral nutrition in the exclusive breastmilk group.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, exclusive formula TF was not associated with increased risk of any of the studied morbidities. Clinicians should consider this finding in deciding between early TF or fasting while waiting for own mother's breastmilk.

Early Enteral Feeding Improves Tolerance of Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Newborns

(1) Background: The tolerance of preterm newborns for the high nutritional intakes given by parenteral nutrition (PN) is still debated because of the risk of metabolic complications. Despite enteral nutrition (EN) being the preferred route of nutrition, an exclusive enteral feeding is not always possible, as in preterm newborns, the gut is immature and less tolerant of EN. We aimed to study the impact of a minimal enteral feeding (MEF) on the possible early metabolic complications of PN in a cohort of preterms with gestational age at birth GA ≤ 29 + 6/7 weeks of postmenstrual age. (2) Methods: We divided the study sample in two cohorts: 1) Late-Feeding (cohort 1), newborns who received MEF starting from the 8th day of age, and (2) Early-Feeding (cohort 2), newborns who received MEF, consisting of the administration of at least 4–5 mL/kg/day by the enteral route, in the first 7 days of age. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of at least one metabolic complication, including hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, or metabolic acidosis. (3) Results: We enrolled 80 newborns (Late-Feeding cohort 51 vs. Early-Feeding cohort 29). The rate of all metabolic complications was statistically higher in the Late-Feeding cohort compared to the Early-Feeding cohort. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that late administration of MEF negatively influenced the rate of all metabolic complications. (4) Conclusions: Early minimal administration of EN is associated with less frequent PN-related metabolic side effects and a higher rate of survival in critically ill newborns.

The clinical impacts of early using glutamine/arginine enriched high protein density formula at trophic dose in intolerant enteral nutrition cachectic hypoalbuminemic hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND

We sought to evaluate the clinical impacts of the early administration of trophic doses of a glutamine/arginine enriched enteral nutrition formula (ENF) with a high protein density to cachectic hypoalbuminemic hospitalized patients intolerant to enteral nutrition.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the nutritional and non-nutritional data of patients admitted to our institution from April 2017 through August 2019. Patients who died or were discharged before completing ≥1 weeks of hospital admission, or those whose data could not be obtained were excluded. Among other variables, percent changes in serum albumin levels (%∆ALB), C - reactive protein (CRP) and their ratios were expressed as Mean ± SD using the Independent Samples T-test, while categorical variables were expressed as numbers with percentages by using χ2 test. Two tested groups were determined based on the use of ENF: Group I received trophic doses of ENF, while Group II received no enteral nutrition.

RESULTS

The overall hospital length of stay (LOS) and overall 28-day hospital mortality were significantly lower in Group I when compared with Group II with Means ± SDs of (11.32 ± 2.19 days vs 23.49 ± 4.33 days) and (13.13% vs. 28.16%), respectively. Also, significantly higher (%∆ALB) for Group I compared with group II (43.48% ± 7.89% vs. 33.45% ± 6.18%), respectively was observed.

CONCLUSION

In malnourished hypoalbuminemic patients suffering from feeding intolerance, early trophic administration of glutamine/arginine enriched high protein density ENF was well tolerated and may be associated with increased plasma albumin levels, reduced LOS, and overall 28-day mortality, and hence may be considered in such patients.

Full Versus Trophic Feeds in Critically Ill Adults with High and Low Nutritional Risk Scores: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Although energy intake might be associated with clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, it remains unclear whether full or trophic feeding is suitable for critically ill patients with high or low nutrition risk. We conducted a prospective study to determine which feeding energy intakes were associated with clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with high or low nutrition risk. This was an investigator-initiated, single center, single blind, randomized controlled trial. Critically ill patients were allocated to either high or low nutrition risk based on their Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score, and then randomized to receive either the full or the trophic feeding. The feeding procedure was administered for six days. No significant differences were observed in hospital, 14-day and 28-day mortalities, the length of ventilator dependency, or ICU and hospital stay among the four groups. There were no associations between energy and protein intakes and hospital, 14-day and 28-day mortalities in any of the four groups. However, protein intake was positively associated with the length of hospital stay and ventilator dependency in patients with low nutrition risk receiving trophic feeding. Full or trophic feeding in critically ill patients showed no associations with clinical outcomes, regardless of nutrition risk.

Controversies Surrounding Critical Care Nutrition: An Appraisal of Permissive Underfeeding, Protein, and Outcomes

Over the past few years, numerous studies have called into question the optimal dose, timing, composition, and advancement rate of nutrition during the early acute phase of critical illness. These studies suggest permissive underfeeding with slow advancement may be more beneficial than aggressive full feeding. These counterintuitive results were possibly explained by enhanced autophagy, less hyperglycemia, or prevention of refeeding syndrome. This review underscores the controversies surrounding permissive underfeeding, aims to answer whether permissive underfeeding is appropriate for all critically ill patients, describes the impact of optimal protein delivery on critical care outcomes, discusses nutrition risk, and cogitates on the impact of nutrition on critical care outcomes.

Early Trophic Enteral Nutrition Is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Septic Shock: A Retrospective Review

PURPOSE

Current guidelines provide weak recommendations for starting enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with septic shock (on vasopressor support). Outcomes of patients receiving EN in septic shock on vasopressor support have not been well studied. We hypothesize that early trophic EN in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock is associated with improved outcomes.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective study of mechanically ventilated patients admitted with septic shock to identify patients receiving (1) no EN, (2) <600 kcal/d within 48 hours, and (3) ≥600 kcal/d within 48 hours. Outcomes studied included in-hospital mortality, length of intensive care unit stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation (DOMV), and complications of feeding intolerance.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were identified. In all, 15 received no EN, 37 received <600 kcal/d, and 14 received ≥600 kcal/d EN daily. Median LOS was 12, 5, and 13 days, respectively. The LOS was lower in patients receiving <600 kcal/d when compared to either no EN (P < .001) or those receiving ≥600 kcal/d (P < .001). Median DOMV was lower in patients receiving <600 kcal/d (median 3, P < .001) as compared to no EN (median 7, P < .001) or those receiving ≥600 kcal/d (median 7.5, P < .001). Mortality was not different. There were no significant complications among groups.

CONCLUSION

In patients with septic shock, those receiving <600 kcal/d EN within 48 hours had lower DOMV and LOS when compared to those who did not receive EN or those who received ≥600 kcal/d. These observations provide strong justification for prospective evaluation of the effect of early trophic EN in patients with septic shock.