"EARLY" VERSUS "LATE" FEEDING OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATES: EFFECT ON SERUM BILIRUBIN, BLOOD SUGAR, AND RESPONSES TO GLUCAGON AND EPINEPHRINE TOLERANCE TESTS

Abstract

Effects of early (2 hours after birth) and late (24 to 36 hours after birth) feeding were studied in 42 "well born" and clinically well low birth weight infants in the 1,250 to 2,000 gm birth weight range. Twenty-one of these, selected at random, were early fed and 21 were late fed. In the early-fed infants weight loss was less (mean 4.7% of birth weight) and regained earlier (mean 7.3 days); in the late-fed infants weight loss was greater (7.4% of birth weight) and regained later (mean 12.6 days). Blood glucose was higher in the early-fed group than in the late-fed group at 24 hours of age. A higher response in blood glucose level was seen in the early-fed infants following glucagon and epinephrine administration at 24 hours. No adverse effects were observed as a result of early feeding. Such feedings may indeed have an advantage in reducing serum bilirubin levels, raising blood sugar, and increasing liver glycogen reserves.