Early versus Late Trophic Feeding: Effect on Health Status of Low Birth Weight Neonates

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effect of early versus late trophic feeding on the health status of low birth weight neonates. A comparative descriptive design was utilized on a convenience sample of one hundred low birth weight neonates, fifty of them for early group trophic feeding and the other fifty for late feeding. Sample was collected from two NICUs in Cairo University Hospitals from May 2013 till February 2014 to answer the research question” Does health status of low birth weight (LBW) neonates who start early trophic feeding better than those who started late trophic feeding?” Three tools were developed by researchers: socio-demographic data, nutritional recording sheet and observational check list for feeding tolerance signs and it filled by researchers daily for every neonate from admission till discharge. Results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the clinical and maternal characteristics of neonates in the two groups. The birth weight was increased significantly for early group than late in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd week. Amount of parenteral nutrition, hospital stay significantly less in early compared to late feeding group; late group experienced a highly significance incidence of milk intolerance and infection signs in the first week only. The benefits of early trophic feeding shown by this study strongly support its use for the LBW neonates. Early trophic feeding must be encouraged for all low birth weight neonates were recommended.

Keywords: Early, Late Trophic Feeding, Health Status, Low Birth Weight Neonates