Abstract
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether gastric lavage with expressed breastmilk (EBM) decreases the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants compared to standard care. Material and Methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial included VLBW infants who were randomized to receive either gastric lavage with EBM (intervention group) or standard care (control group). The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of NEC. Secondary outcomes were mortality, duration of hospital stay, days to achieve full feeds, and weight gain at discharge. Results: A total of 99 neonates were enrolled (51 in the intervention group and 48 in the control group). NEC rates were similar in both groups (5.9% vs. 4.2%; P = 0.39). However, there was a significant reduction in mortality in the intervention group (1.9% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Gastric lavage with EBM did not reduce the incidence of NEC in the population studied, but there was a significant reduction in mortality in the intervention group.
Published Version
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