Feeding Intolerance in Newborns |Biomedgrid

Introduction: Feeding intolerance defined as the inability to digest enteral feedings, and is associated with increased gastric residuals, abdominal distension and/or regurgitations. Recently, we observed in our neonatal intensive care unit, a tendency for feeding intolerance in relation to origin. Aim: To evaluate whether feeding intolerance is more prevalent in African Israelis newborns (AIN) versus other Israelis newborns (OIN) origin. Methods: A retrospective case control study based on medical records between 2014 and 2016. The groups included 50 AIN and 100 OIN. Results: The AIN had significantly higher prevalence of feeding intolerance in (34%) compared to OIN (15%) (p=0.007). Moreover, feeding intolerance symptoms were higher in the AIN group compared to the OIN group; gastric residual volume more than 50% (24% vs 10%, p=0.014) regurgitations (76% vs 50%, p=0.002), vomiting (44% vs 10%, p=0.046), and two days without defecation (10% vs 2%, p=0.029). Mother's own milk feeding was more prevalent in the AIN group. There were no differences between the two groups in the prevalence of necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal perforation, or milk allergy.