Characteristics and influencing factors of enteral nutrition in late preterm infants in Beijing / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the status and influencing factors of enteral nutrition support in late preterm infants (34-36 +6 gestational weeks) treated in different grades of hospitals in Beijing. Methods:This was a prospective study involving late preterm infants treated in 25 hospitals in Beijing from October 2015 to October 2017. Data about nutritional management and nutrition-related complications were recorded. Exclusive breastfeeding status of the infants by gestational age(GA) and hospital levels was analyzed. The achievement of full enteral feeding and the potential influencing factors were also analyzed. t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression and Cox regression analysis were used in multivariate analysis. Results:(1) A total of 1 463 late preterm infants with GA of 35.6±0.8 (ranging from 34.9 to 36.1) weeks was enrolled in this study. Compared with the infants with GA of 35-35 +6 and 36-36 +6 weeks, those born at 34-34 +6 gestational weeks had longer hospital stay [10 (8-13) vs 8 (7-10) and 7 (6-9) d, both P<0.05], greater loss of minimum weight [4.3% (2.6%-6.3%) vs 3.8% (2.0%-5.6%) and 3.3% (1.9%-5.5%), both P<0.05], higher incidence of apnea [5.3% (20/369) vs 2.1% (12/566) and 1.3% (7/528), both P<0.05] and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) [7.1% (28/369) vs 3.0% (17/566) and 3.2% (17/528), both P<0.05], and lower percentage of failure to regain birth weight at discharge [32.5% (120/369) vs 38.7% (219/566) and 47.9% (253/528), both P<0.05]. Only the incidence of premature rupture of membranes among all maternal complications during pregnancy had statistical difference between 34-34 +6, 35-35 +6 and 36-36 +6 GA groups [6.2% (23/369) vs 12.7% (72/566) and 11.9% (63/528), χ2=10.244, P=0.007]. (2) The rate of enteral feeding increment in hospital was 13.7 (10.5-17.3) ml/(kg·d) and 46.0% (673/1 463) of the infants were fed formula. The exclusive breastfeeding rate increased from 4.5% (66/1 463) during hospitalization to 14.4% (211/1 463) at discharge. The breastfeeding rate at discharge varied widely among the 25 hospitals ( χ2=327.893, P<0.001) ranging from 32% to 0. (3) Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that gestational diabetes mellitus ( OR=2.426, 95% CI: 1.075-5.437, P=0.033) and premature rupture of membranes ( OR=8.726, 95% CI: 1.193-63.802, P=0.033) were the prenatal risk factors influencing the exclusive breastfeeding in late preterm infants. Enteral nutrition achieving 150 ml/(kg·d) and 120 kcal/(kg·d) (1 kcal=4.184 kJ) were noted for 28.4% (416/1 463) and 19.2% (281/1 463) of the late preterm infants at discharge, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that hospital grades ( HR=1.470, 95% CI: 1.030-2.098, P=0.034), the length of hospital stay ( HR=1.162, 95% CI: 1.097-1.231, P<0.001), birth weight ( HR=0.946, 95% CI: 0.898-0.995, P=0.003), exclusive breastfeeding ( HR=2.354, 95% CI:1.031-5.374, P=0.042), feeding intolerance ( HR=3.677, 95% CI: 1.201-11.253, P=0.023), parenteral nutrition ( HR=1.900, 95% CI: 1.379-2.616, P<0.001), and the rate of enteral feeding advancement ( HR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.369-1.484, P<0.001) were independent factors associated with full enteral feeding at discharge. Conclusions:Exclusive breastfeeding rate in late preterm infants is low and enteral nutrition support varies greatly in different hospitals. The rate of enteral feeding increment is slow for hospitalized late preterm infants and most fail to achieve full enteral feeding at discharge. Gestational diabetes mellitus and premature rupture of membranes are prenatal risk factors affecting breastfeeding of late preterm infants. Those with low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding in hospital, feeding intolerance, parenteral nutrition support, longer hospital stay or rapid enteral feeding advancement are more likely to achieve full enteral feeding at discharge.