Abstract
Objective: Parenteral nutrition and extensive protein hydrolysates (EPH) are standard nutrition therapy for infants after gastrointestinal (GI) resection and enterostomy placement. This retrospective, nonrandomized study compared feeding regimens in this population of infants. Methods: Thirty-five premature infants with GI resections between 1 and 74 cm and enterostomy placement were fed fortified human milk (FEBM), preterm formula, or EPH. Feeding tolerance, growth, and biochemical indicators of nutritional status were monitored. Results: Study groups were dissimilar in birth weight. However, growth and feeding tolerance were consistent among groups. More alkaline phosphatase and serum phosphorus values were outside the reference range in the FEBM group. Sixty percent of all infants studied thrived on enteral feedings. Conclusions: These findings suggest no increased risks for premature infants fed preterm formula as the feeding regimen postintestinal resection. We also demonstrated that it is possible to achieve approximately full volumes of feeding in most cases with uncomplicated GI disease.
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