Feeding Intolerance in Preterm Infant

Premature infants frequently suffer from feeding intolerance related to prematurity and are highly associated with morbidity and mortality. [1] Feeding intolerance (FI) is defined as difficulty to digest enteral feedings and is accompanied by an increase in gastric residuals, abdominal distension, and/or reflux. It is common in preterm infants and commonly results in feeding and gastrointestinal disruptions. FI in newborns can be a sign of a variety of problems, ranging from minor, self-limiting illnesses to serious, life-threatening illnesses. [2] The common cause of FI is low intestinal motility because of prematurity , Enzymatic digestion, bacterial colonization, hormonal response, and local immunity are also possible reasons for FI. [3] FI is very common among preterm infants and its clinical symptoms include abdominal distension, vomiting, bilious gastric residuals, occult or gross bloody stools, and are observed in nearly 29% of such neonates. [4] Factors that contribute to feeding intolerance include poor coordination of sucking and swallowing, incompetent lower esophageal sphincter, small gastric capacity, delayed gastric emptying time, and intestinal hypomotility. Abnormal bacterial colonization may be a coexisting factor in feeding intolerance in newborns mainly due to dysfunction of the intestinal barrier, the immune responses, and sensory motor functions of the gut. [5] Mother's milk feeding is related to better feeding tolerance and may be correlated to a reduction in severe morbidity. [6] The mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) and feeding type (breastfeeding or formula feeding) of neonates are considered the most influential factors in the development of gut microbiota. [7] In the preterm infant, the readiness to tolerate enteral nutrition relies upon the degree of maturation of gastro-intestinal (G-I) functions (motility, enzymatic digestion, hormonal responses, bacterial colonization and local immunity). Anatomical development of the GI tract is largely completed at 20 weeks of gestation, although the elongation of the GI tube and increases in the absorbing area (microvilli) continue during the last trimester of gestation and beyond. [8] Successful establishment of enteral feedings is a major goal in the treatment of very low-birthweight infants, but functional immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract may hamper such efforts. Prokinetic agents often are used in an attempt to overcome functional immaturity by speeding up gastric empyting and increase intestinal wall motility.[9]