To determine the effects of feeding regimen (bolus vs continuous feeding; BF vs CF) and ambient light exposure pattern (intermittent vs continuous lighting; IL vs CL) on weight gain, we randomized neonatal piglet littermates to one of four groups: BF/IL, BF/CL, CF/IL, CF/CL (6 litters, total N = 24). At 6 days of age gastrostomies were placed through which the piglets were fed a standard swine weaning formula (250 mL/kg/d). BF piglets received feedings at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 20:00. CF piglets received feedings continuously over 24 h. The ambient lighting exposure pattern was either 12 h on (at 06:00) and 12 h off (IL) or 24 h of continuous light (CL). The study was carried out for a total of 3 wk post-surgery. (Mean ± SD) There was no interaction between feeding and light treatments. The rate of wt gain was greater in the bolus-fed compared with that in the continuous-fed groups (p < 0.03). Although light treatment appeared to contribute to differences in wt gain, these differences did not reach significance (p < 0.16). Conclusions: 1) the rate of wt gain was greater in bolus-compared with continuous-fed piglets; 2) ambient light exposure pattern did not clearly affect the rate of wt gain. Studies are needed to determine the effect on growth of feeding regimen and ambient light exposure patterns in the very low birth weight infant.Table

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