Preterm Infants May Better Tolerate Warmer Feeds

Preterm Infants May Better Tolerate Feeds at Temperatures Closer to Freshly Expressed Breast Milk- A Randomized Controlled Trial

Feeding intolerance is frequent among preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Although there are many studies about enteral nutrition strategies and content in preterm infants, no evidence-based standards exist for the optimal milk temperature for preterm infants. Therefore, in this study the investigators aimed to examine the effects of feeding temperature and the possible morbidities.

Feeding intolerance is one of the most frequent problems among preterm infants. These infants are fed with expressed breast milk or preterm formulas of which the temperature is not routinely measured. In this study, the investigators aimed to examine the effects of feeds with warm versus room temperature milk in preterm infants. Infants with a birth weight of ≤1500 g or gestational age of ≤ 34 weeks were included in the study and assigned to two different feeding temperature groups (22-24°C and 32-34°C). Some infants in both groups were exclusive breast milk fed and some received artificial milk. Feeding tolerance of patients in both groups and the consequences were evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infants born to birth weight of ≤1500 g
• Infants born to gestational age of ≤ 34 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Genetic syndrome
• Gastrointestinal system anomalies
• Patients born small for their gestational age