Objectives: To determine the effect of trophic feeding on gastric emptying and whole gut transit time in sick preterm infants.
Methods: A randomised, controlled, prospective study of 70 infants weighing less than 1750 g at birth, who were receiving ventilatory support, was performed. Group TF (33 infants) received trophic feeding from day 3 (0.5 ml/h if birthweight less than 1 kg, 1 ml/h if greater or equal to 1 kg) in addition to parenteral nutrition until ventilatory support finished. Group C (37 infants) received parenteral nutrition alone until ventilatory support finished. Expressed breast milk or a preterm formula were given according to maternal preference. Gastric emptying was assessed within 24 hours of nutritive milk feeding equal to 90 ml/kg/day, using ultrasound scans to measure the reduction in the gastric antral cross sectional area after a feed. Whole gut motility was assessed at both 3 and 6 weeks of age by measuring the whole gut transit time (WGTT) of the marker carmine red.
Results: There was no significant difference between groups in their gastric half emptying time, median difference (95% confidence interval) 2.6 (-5.9, 13.9) minutes. The WGTT was significantly faster (p < 0.05) in group TF at both 3 and 6 weeks; median difference -13 (-47, -0.1) and -12.5 (-44, -0.5) hours, respectively.
Conclusions: Trophic feeding enhances whole gut motility but not gastric emptying. This effect could subsequently improve milk tolerance in sick preterm infants.