Efficacy and Safety of Refeeding in Preterm Infants With Enterostomy

Efficacy and Safety of Refeeding in Preterm Infants With Enterostomy

Refeeding is an extracorporeal stool transport from the proximal stoma end to the distal end of stoma. Refeeding may be beneficial in preventing malabsorption, electrolyte imbalance, cholestasis and atrophy of the distal intestine. Investigators are focused on evaluating the efficacy and safety of the practice of refeeding in preterm infants with enterostomy. Clinical data including weight gain, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) usage, and other laboratory findings will be collected. Serial citrulline levels during refeeding procedure and pathologic specimens of bowel (at the time of stoma closure) will be collected for evaluating bowel adaptation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm infants who are less than 35 weeks gestational age at birth and get stomas after laparotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Congenital gastrointestinal malformation
• Blind pouch (after laparotomy)
• Refeeding procedure related infection
• Hemodynamic instability requiring inotropic or vasopressor agents (if the condition improves, the refeeding procedure can be restarted again)