Abstract
In premature infants, energy supply from food intake is crucial for organ operating, for the maintenance of body homeothermia and to ensure an optimal body growth. Thermometabolic control of feeding (Himms-Hagen's model), involving brown adipose tissue activation to produce heat, has been argued in rat. This hypothesis has been put forwards for the human neonate who has also brown adipose tissue. According to this model, feeding episode occurred during an episodic increase of body temperature. Feeding is initiated by the dip in blood glucose concentration due to its uptake by the brown adipose tissue activated. The aim of the present study was to validate the hypothesis of a thermometabolic control of feeding in premature infants. In 14 neonates fed by bottle on demand, food intake always took place during an increase of skin temperature (+0.19 ±0.21°C). The awakening occurred 18 ±17 minutes after the minimal skin temperature level. In contrast, when feeding time is imposed, this event is not located during the increase of skin temperature and the sleep time duration following the food intake significantly increased (+43%). This could be considered as an adaptive response to the short-sleep deprivation and/or to the stress elicited by the imposed feeding time. The validity of the model supports to practice “feeding-on-demand” in neonatal care unit in accordance with physiological oscillations in body temperature of the baby.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
