Enteral Feeding Practices for Very Preterm and Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Nigeria and Kenya

Frontiers in Pediatrics

article

Olukemi O. Tongo¹  Macrine A. Olwala²  Alison W. Talbert³  Helen M. Nabwera⁴  Abimbola E. Akindolire¹  Walter Otieno²  Grace M. Nalwa²  Pauline E. A. Andang'o⁶  Martha K. Mwangome³  Isa Abdulkadir⁷  Chinyere V. Ezeaka⁸  Beatrice N. Ezenwa⁸  Iretiola B. Fajolu⁸  Zainab O. Imam⁹  Dominic D. Umoru^1,10  Ismaela Abubakar⁴  Nicholas D. Embleton^1,11  Stephen J. Allen⁴ 

[1] College of Medicine, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital;Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital;KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme;Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine;Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Trust;Department of Nutrition and Health, Maseno University;Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital;College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital;Lagos State University Teaching Hospital;Maitama District Hospital;Newcastle University;The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

关键词: feeding practices;    very preterm;    very low birth weight;    Nigeria;    Kenya;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2022.892209

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Background: Optimizing nutrition in very preterm (28–32 weeks gestation) and very low birth weight (VLBW; 1,000 g to <1,500 g) infants has potential to improve their survival, growth, and long-term health outcomes. Aim To assess feeding practices in Nigeria and Kenya for very preterm and VLBW newborn infants. Methods This was a cross-sectional study where convenience sampling was used. A standard questionnaire was sent to doctors working in neonatal units in Nigeria and Kenya. Results Of 50 respondents, 37 (74.0%) were from Nigeria and 13 (26.0%) from Kenya. All initiated enteral feeds with breastmilk, with 24 (48.0%) initiating within 24 h. Only 28 (56.0%) used written feeding guidelines. Starting volumes ranged between 10 and 80 ml/kg/day. Median volume advancement of feeds was 20 ml/kg/day (IQR 10–20) with infants reaching full feeds in 8 days (IQR 6–12). 26 (52.0%) of the units fed the infants 2 hourly. Breastmilk fortification was practiced in 7 (14.0%) units, while folate, iron, calcium, and phosphorus were prescribed in 42 (84.0%), 36 (72.0%), 22 (44.0%), 5 (10.0%) of these units, respectively. No unit had access to donor breastmilk, and only 18 (36.0%) had storage facilities for expressed breastmilk. Twelve (24.0%) used wet nurses whilst 30 (60.0%) used formula feeds. Conclusion Feeding practices for very preterm and VLBW infants vary widely within Nigeria and Kenya, likely because of lack of locally generated evidence. High quality research that informs the feeding of these infants in the context of limited human resources, technology, and consumables, is urgently needed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY