Comparison of Early versus Late Trophic Feeding in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Neonates at a Tertiary Care Hospital: Early versus Late Trophic Feeding in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Neonates

Nadeem Akram; . Suleman; Ghazanfer Nadeem; Asif Hussain; Ateeq Ur Rehman; Nadia Rafique

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v7i8.3896

Authors

Nadeem Akram Department of Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
. Suleman Department of Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Ghazanfer Nadeem Department of Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Asif Hussain Department of Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Ateeq Ur Rehman Department of Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
Nadia Rafique Department of Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University and Hospital, Multan, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i8.3896

Keywords:

Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Neonates, Early Versus Late Trophic Feeding, Neonatal outcomes, Complications

Abstract

Very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates are vulnerable to complications, and nutritional management is an essential determinant of their outcomes. Objective: To compare the neonatal outcomes in early trophic feeding (TF) versus late TF in preterm VLBW neonates. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed at the Department of Paediatrics, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan, from June 2025 to December 2025. Sixty preterm VLBW neonates were selected through simple random sampling. Infants were randomized (30 in each group) into early TF (≤48 hours) or late TF (≥72 hours) groups. Feeding was given via orogastric tube using expressed breast milk or preterm formula, along with parenteral nutrition. Outcomes included incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), mortality, and hospital stay. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, with p≤0.005 considered statistically significant. Results: In a total of 60 neonates, 35 (58.3%) were males, with a mean gestational age of 33.1 ± 2.1 weeks, and a birth weight of 1360.1 ± 67.2 grams, respectively. Overall, NEC occurred in 2 (3.3%), and mortality occurred in 4 (6.7%) neonates. The overall mean hospital stay was 15.4±1.9 days, significantly shorter with early feeding (13.0 ± 1.7 vs 19.3 ± 2.1 days, p<0.001). Conclusions: The early TF within 48 hours significantly reduced the hospital stay without increasing NEC or mortality among preterm VLBW infants.

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