A randomised control trial to compare growth velocity in VLBW neonates (1-1.5 kg) fed at 2 hourly and 3 hourly intervals

Adequate nutrition plays an important role in survival, growth and development of preterm infants. Nutrition in preterm infants can be given via enteral or parenteral route. Parenteral route has complications of vascular catheterisation, sepsis, fasting and adverse effects of nutrition. The cost is also increased with use of TPN. Enteral feeding is also beneficial as it improves gastro-intestinal motility, increases release of gastro-intestinal hormones which have trophic effects and leads to decreased feed intolerance. Enteral feeding practices vary between different neonatal units. Preterm neonates have lack of co-ordination between sucking, swallowing and breathing hence gavage feeding is started. They are arbitrarily given bolus feeding at fixed intervals or given continuous feeds. Bolus feeding may be more physiological as it brings about more natural surges in intestinal hormones. Bolus feeding is also given at different intervals(1 hourly, 2 hourly, 3 hourly). There is no consensus on what feed interval to be followed in preterm VLBW infants. In our nursery, 2 hours feeding regimen is routinely followed with few babies being shifted to 1 hourly, 3 hourly or continuous feeds as per clinician’s decision. This study is designed to evaluate the weight gain velocity of babies receiving 3 hourly feeds as compared to 2 hourly feeds.