The abdominal oxygen saturation changes in VLBWI with early feeding intolerance monitored by NIRS

Abstract

Objective To observe the changes of abdominal oxygen saturation in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with feeding intolerance (FI) within 14 days after birth monitored by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Methods VLBWI fitting entry criteria were enrolled into this study.NIRS monitoring was carried out to detect cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO2) and abdominal oxygen saturation (SsO2). Data were analyzed between FI infants and feeding tolerance (FT) infants.FI was defined as follows: gastric residual of more than 50% of the previous feeding volume; emesis or abdominal distention or both; decrease, delay or discontinuation of enteral feedings. Results 93 VLBWI were enrolled.52 cases(55.91%) presented with FI, including 29 cases(31.19%) of gastric residual increasing and 23 cases(24.73%) of emesis with or without abdominal distention within 14 days after birth.The levels of SsO2 and SsO2/ScO2 showed no differences in infants with FT and with FI within 24h after birth (P>0.05). The change rates of the median of SsO2 and SsO2/ScO2 in FT infants were similar during 14 days (P>0.05). While both the change rates of SsO2 and SsO2/ScO2 were markedly decreased 1 day before and the day of FI (P<0.01). The decreasing degree of SsO2 was similar between infants with gastric residual increasing and infants with emesis with or without abdominal distention[(16.2±5.1) vs (17.4±3.6)%, t=0.733, P=0.476]. Conclusion Abdominal oxygen saturation measured by NIRS may be a useful method for infants adjusting the feeding plan. Key words: Near infrared spectroscopy; Very low birth weight infants; Feeding intolerance; Oxygen saturation