Benefits of a Standardized Enteral Feeding Protocol on the Nutrition and Health Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

Purpose: To compare nutrition and health outcomes before and after implementing a standardized enteral feeding protocol on nutrition and health outcomes in very low birth weight preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed evaluating preterm infants, born less than 34 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1500 g, before and after the implementation of a standardized enteral feeding protocol. Outcomes included weaning of parenteral nutrition, initiation and advancement of enteral feeds, initiation of human-milk fortifier (HMF), change in weight z-score and neonatal morbidities. Results: Fifty-six infants (30 in pre-group, 26 in post-group) met the inclusion criteria. Infants in the standardized enteral feeding protocol group started enteral feeds earlier (p = 0.039) and received full HMF fortification at lower weights (p = 0.033) than those in the pre-group. Fewer days on continuous positive airway pressure (p = 0.021) and lower rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p = 0.018) were also observed in the post-group. Weaning of parenteral nutrition and weight z-score were not significantly different between groups. There were no differences in other morbidities. Conclusion: Study results suggest that adopting a standardized enteral feeding protocol may promote early initiation of enteral feeds and fortification.