Splanchnic Tissue Oxygenation for Predicting Feeding Tolerance in Preterm Infants

Background: Feeding intolerance is very frequent in preterm infants, and the development of an early effective biomarker for its prediction could be useful for carrying out a proper feeding strategy. Our aim was to evaluate if the measurement of splanchnic regional oxygenation (rSO(2)S) and splanchnic fractional oxygen extraction ratio (FOES) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is correlated with the time needed to achieve full enteral feeding and if it can predict the development of feeding intolerance. Materials and Methods: We measured rSO(2)S and FOES in preterm infants 25 +/- 0 to 31 +/- 6 weeks of gestational age at 24-72 hours of life during continuous enteral feeding. Results: Linear regression analysis did not evidence any relationship between rSO(2)S and FOES and the time for achievement of full enteral feeding. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight <1000 g (relative risk [RR], 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-16.45) and patent ductus arteriosus occurrence (RR, 9.3; 95% CI, 1.31-66.06) increased the risk of developing feeding intolerance in our population. Conclusion: Splanchnic oxygenation and oxygen extraction measured in the first days of life are not correlated with the time needed to achieve full enteral feeding in preterm infants receiving continuous enteral nutrition.