Randomised controlled trial of trophic feeding and gut motility.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of trophic feeding on gastric emptying and whole gut transit time in sick preterm infants. METHODS A randomised, controlled, prospective study of 70 infants weighing less than 1750 g at birth, who were receiving ventilatory support, was performed. Group TF (33 infants) received trophic feeding from day 3 (0.5 ml/h if birthweight less than 1 kg, 1 ml/h if greater or equal to 1 kg) in addition to parenteral nutrition until ventilatory support finished. Group C (37 infants) received parenteral nutrition alone until ventilatory support finished. Expressed breast milk or a preterm formula were given according to maternal preference. Gastric emptying was assessed within 24 hours of nutritive milk feeding equal to 90 ml/kg/day, using ultrasound scans to measure the reduction in the gastric antral cross sectional area after a feed. Whole gut motility was assessed at both 3 and 6 weeks of age by measuring the whole gut transit time (WGTT) of the marker carmine red. RESULTS There was no significant difference between groups in their gastric half emptying time, median difference (95% confidence interval) 2.6 (-5.9, 13.9) minutes. The WGTT was significantly faster (p < 0.05) in group TF at both 3 and 6 weeks; median difference -13 (-47, -0.1) and -12.5 (-44, -0.5) hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Trophic feeding enhances whole gut motility but not gastric emptying. This effect could subsequently improve milk tolerance in sick preterm infants.