ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of gastric emptying in very premature infants and to determine whether there are changes with postnatal age and the ability to tolerate feedings. METHODS: Sequential ultrasound measurements of the gastric antral cross-sectional area were obtained in 32 infants (mean gestational age, 26 +/- 1 weeks) before and after feeding for 2 hours. Studies were carried out after initiation of feedings, when full feedings were received, and at 32 weeks. Infants classified as feeding intolerant (n = 9) were also studied when feedings were restarted. Gastric emptying was assessed by the time taken for antral cross-sectional area to reach maximal value and to decrease to half the maximal increment (half-antral clearance). RESULTS: Delayed antral distention was observed at the time of the initial study in both feeding-tolerant (8 of 23) and feeding-intolerant (8 of 9) infants; however, there were significant differences in times for maximal antral distention (p < 0.002) and half-antral clearance (p < 0.006) between the feeding-tolerant and feeding-intolerant infants. By the time of full feedings, the feeding-intolerant infants showed immediate gastric emptying but still had a longer half-antral clearance time (p < 0.01). By 32 weeks, all infants had immediate antral distention and a more mature curvilinear pattern of gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of these different patterns of gastric emptying in very premature infants may lead to the development of more rational feeding strategies.