Abstract
To evaluate the effect of early nutritional support on infants hospitalized because of low respiratory infections, we studied 60 infants (2 to 12 months) for seven days. On admission they were randomly all ocated to 4 groups: A, fed powdered whole cow's milk formula (CM) reconstituted to 7.5% with 5% sucrose and 5% maltodextrin (77 Kcal/dl) via nasogastric tube as a bolus; B, same as group A but given by continuous drip; C, 10% CM plus 5% sucrose and 2% vegetable oil (87 Kcal/dl) via nasogastric tube as a bolus; and D, same as C but given as a continuous drip. Infants of group B, had the shortest hospital stay (7.2 vs 8.7, 8.4 and 7.7 days; p < 0.01), and faster improvement of parameters of respiratory faiiure (2.7 vs 4.1, 3.8 and 3.5 days; p < 0.0003). The maximal decrease in cardiac rate was observed in group D (169 to 126 beats/min). No differences were observed in blood glucose levels, ESR, C-reactive protein, and anthropometric measurements.
We conclude that early nutritional support with hypercaloric and high lipid formulas, administered via a nasogastric tube by continuous drip is associated to an early decrease of the severity of infections of the low respiratory tract in infants.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lagrutta, F., Castillo-Duran, C. ENTERAL FEEDING IN INFANTS WITH LOW TRACT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS. Pediatr Res 28, 558 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199011000-00039
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199011000-00039