After feeding an increase of enteric blood supply have been observed in neonates. We evaluated the effect of enteral tube feeding on cerebral blood volume in preterm infants.

Patients: 10 preterm infants, GA 26(±2) weeks, age at study 33(±2)weeks; actual weight 1380(±330)g, Hb 13(±3)g/dl; bolus feeding of breast milk/preterm formula [13(±5) ml/kg] via a nasogastric tube; application time of approximately 10 minutes.

Methods: CBV changes by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS); heart rate, tcPCO2 and SpO2 simultaneously;mean arterial blood pressure(MAD) every 5 minutes by oscillometry.

Results: During feeding CBV increased (slope +2.4(±2.9)[mean(SD)]; 95% CI +0.3 to +4.4; p<0.05). Within 28 minutes after feeding CBV gradually decreased (slope -3.0 (±1.9); 95% CI -4.3 to -1.6; p<0.001). Concurrently, there was an increase of PCO2 during feeding (mean difference 0.8 Torr; p<0.05) and a decrease after feeding(mean difference 1.8 Torr; p<0.001). The mean change of CBV was 0.1 ml/100g/1 Torr CO2. Within 10 minutes after feeding heart rate and MAD slightly decreased (n.s).

Conclusion: CBV was significantly effected by bolus application of small amounts of milk. These alterations in CBV were mainly caused by changes in PCO2 levels.