PS-275 Can High Enteral Feeding Volumes Prevent Postnatal Growth Restriction In Very Preterm Infants?

Abstract

Background and aims Postnatal growth restriction is common among very preterm infants (VPI). Optimising enteral feeding is of critical importance to improve neurodevelopmental outcome. We assessed the effect of a feeding regimen with a high enteral volume intake. Design Retrospective population based study of all VPI (GA Results 99 infants were included. Infants who died (15/99; 15%) had lower mean GA than infants who survived to discharge (24.9 weeks vs. 27.3 weeks). For all infants enteral nutrition was commenced within first 48 h. Two infants developed surgical NEC, both survived. Daily enteral volume of fortified breast milk was 180–200 ml/kg from 3 weeks of age and until self-regulation. Seven infants were transferred to other units Conclusions The rate of postnatal growth restriction was lower than previously reported in similar patient populations. We believe a high enteral volume intake is a safe method to increase energy and protein delivery and thus improve the nutritional status of very preterm infants.