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Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(04): 261-268
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1347365
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Intestinal Blood Flow by Doppler Ultrasound: The Impact of Gestational Age and Time from First Enteral Feeding in Preterm Neonates

Alecia Thompson
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore (Weiler Division), Bronx, New York
,
Cicero Torres Silva
2   Division of Pediatric Imaging, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
,
A. Semih Gork
3   Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
,
Dan Wang
4   Division of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
,
Richard A. Ehrenkranz
3   Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

21 February 2013

21 April 2013

Publication Date:
31 May 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Objective To explore whether superior mesenteric artery (SMA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) on Doppler ultrasound varies by gestational age (GA) and time from first enteral feeding and has an impact on feeding intolerance.

Design/Methods Preterm neonates were assigned to three GA groups at birth, group I: 31 to 356/7 weeks, group II: 27 to 306/7 weeks, and group III: ≤ 266/7 weeks. SMA PSV and clinical and feeding parameters were assessed before and after enteral feed, with the first enteral feed designated as time 1, time 2 = 1 to 4 days (after first feed), time 3= 5 to 7 days, time 4 = 8 to 14 days, and time 5 = 15 to 28.

Results Forty-one patients completed the study (group I: n = 17, group II: n = 12, group III: n = 12). There was no significant difference in SMA PSV change after feeding between groups at the start of enteral feeding (p = 0.12). There were differences in change in SMA PSV after feeding at times 2, 3 and 5 (p = 0.003, p = 0.004, p = 0.009, respectively). Patients with feeding intolerance exhibited a smaller increase in SMA PSV after feeding.

Conclusions There were significant differences in PSV by GA group. SMA PSV change after feeding was lower in patients who had feeding intolerance compared with those who did not.

Keywords

Doppler - ultrasound - superior mesenteric artery - premature - feeding intolerance
 

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