Background. Studies on the effect of feeding on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in neonates gave conflicting results, possibly due to various time intervals after feeding. Patients and Methods. We studied mean CBF velocity (CBFV) continuously in the middle cerebral artery before, during and after tube feeding (14±3 ml/kg per meal over a period of 5 min.) In 14 neonates with a mean gest. age of 29±2 wks, birth weight of 1230±250g, postnatal age of 6±1 wks, and an actual weight of 1650±340g using a Doppler ultrasound device. Blood pressure, respiration and oxygen saturation were monitored. Figure
Figure
Results. CBFV decreased from 37 cm/s before feeding to 33 cm/s(p<0.001) at 5 to 11 minutes after feeding. Prefeeding values were reached after 17 min. Blood pressure, respiration patterns and oxygen saturation did not change.
Conclusion. We conclude that tube feeding in preterm infants may decrease cerebral Derfusion in spite of unchanged blood pressure and unchanged oxygen saturation.
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Nelle, M., Hoecker, C. & Linderkamp, O. Effects of bolus tube feeding on cerebral blood flow velocity in neonates 175. Pediatr Res 40, 544 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199609000-00198
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199609000-00198
