Gastric emptying in very-low-birth-weight infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure

Objective Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is frequently used for prolonged periods in very low birth weight infants. We asked if NCPAP affects gastric emptying. Study design Preterm newborn infants (n = 16) with a mean body weight of 935 g (SD, 155) and a mean gestational age of 27.7 weeks (SD, 1.9) were treated with NCPAP and fed by orogastric tube. A comparison group of 20 newborn infants with a mean body weight of 1090 grams (SD, 130) and a mean gestational age of 28.2 weeks (SD, 1.2) were not receiving NCPAP. All newborn infants received a milk formula containing 81 kcal/dL given in similar quantities. The antral cross-sectional area was measured by means of an ultrasound technique. Results Mean half-time of antral cross-sectional area was 28 minutes (SD, 12) in the NCPAP group and 40 minutes (SD, 17) in the comparison group (P < .05). There were no differences in gastrointestinal complications between the two groups. Conclusions The gastric emptying time was shorter for newborn infants treated with NCPAP.