Study of Comparison of Continuous Nasogastric Feeding versus Intermittent Nasogastric Feeding in Stable Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Abstract

Introduction: Minimal enteral feeding is started as soon as possible after birth in very low birth weight infants and the amount of enteral feeding is increased daily. Feeding can either be bolus every 2 to 3 hours or continuous with an infusion pump. It is still a matter of dispute among neonatologists which mode is effective. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare continuous nasogastric feeding versus intermittent nasogastric feeding in stable very low birth weight infants. Methodology: This was a hospital based comparative observational study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of a tertiary care government teaching hospital, Jaipur over a period of one year. Stable very low birth weight infants were enrolled in two groups within 30 hours of birth namely, continuous nasogastric feeding group (CNG) and intermittent nasogastric feeding group (ING). Nasogastric (NG) feeding was given every 2 hours in the ING group. In the CNG group, feeding was given continuously by syringe and infusion pump. Time to achieve full enteral feeding and weight gain at discharge were measured and compared in both groups. Results: Time to achieve full enteral feeding (5.37±1.16 days) and mean weight gain at discharge (0.20±0.04 kg) in continuous nasogastric feeding group were significantly better than in intermittent nasogastric feeding group (8.62±1.60 days and 0.19±0.03 kg). Conclusion: This study found that the continuous feeding group needed less days to achieve full feed compared with the intermittent feeding group in stable very low birth weight newborn infants. Continuous feeding groups also have less chances of feeding intolerance and more weight gain than intermittent feeding groups.

Keywords

• Continuous nasogastric feeding, Intermittent nasogastric feeding, Very low birth weight babies