Study of feeding problems in neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit in Minya General Hospital

Abstract

Background and aim Proper nutrition in the neonate is essential for normal growth, resistance to infection, long-term health, and optimal neurologic and cognitive development. It is essential to start enteral nutrition early to infants by giving small amounts of milk to ensure that metabolic homeostasis is kept stable and to limit postnatal growth retardation. This study aimed to determine feeding problems in the newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit after starting enteral feeding in Minya General Hospital from May 2018 to August 2018. Patients and methods This study included 100 patients who had feeding problems, data of the patients were collected and analyzed according to standard guidelines, and values were expressed in terms of percentage. Results Abdominal distention was the most common feeding problem as it was in 42% of the studied cases. The most common morbidity associated with feeding problems was respiratory distress as it was in 68% of admitted cases, the common cause of distress was transient tachypnea of newborn followed by respiratory distress syndrome. The study showed a significant difference between full term and preterm regarding the method of feeding, type of milk formula, trophic feeding, and duration of parenteral nutrition. Conclusion The most morbidity associated with feeding problems was respiratory distress. Feeding problems increased in preterm. There was increasing incidence of feeding problems with infant formula than human milk. Also, necrotizing enterocolitis was in 11% of the studied cases and occurs mostly in preterm and the most common feeding problem was abdominal distention.