A novel approach to improving fat delivery in neonatal enteral feeding

Jane Jarjour, Alexa M. Juarez, Denizen K. Kocak, Nathan J. Liu, Mika M. Tabata, Keli M. Hawthorne, Renata F. Ramos, Steven A. Abrams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Continuous infusion systems used for enteral nutrition support in the neonatal intensive care unit deliver as little as 60% of the fat in human milk to the neonate. This study determined the effect of mixing common feedings for preterm infants in the feeding bag and tubing on fat losses during enteral feeding. Laboratory models were developed to assess the contribution of various mixing techniques to delivered fat content. Fat content was measured periodically during feeding and compared to baseline measurements. A multistage approach incorporating a feeding bag inverter and a tubing circulation loop delivered >90% of milk fat when used in conjunction with a commercial continuous infusion system. With unfortified human milk, this approach delivered 91.9% ± 1.5% of fat content over a one hour feed, significantly greater (p < 0.01) than 77.5% ± 2.2% delivered by continuous infusion controls (Mean ± SEM). With fortified human milk, this approach delivered 92.1% ± 2.4% of fat content, significantly greater (p<0.01) than 79.4% ± 1.0% delivered by a non-adapted infusion system(Mean ± SEM). Mixing human milk during continuous infusion improves fat delivery, which may improve nutrition and growth outcomes in low birth weight neonates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5051-5064
Number of pages14
JournalNutrients
Volume7
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 23 2015

Keywords

  • Breast milk
  • Enteral nutrition
  • Human milk-derived fortifier
  • Neonatal intensive care units
  • Neonates
  • Nutriflow
  • Very low birth weight

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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