Splanchnic Oxygenation at First Enteral Feeding in Preterm Infants: Correlation with Feeding Intolerance

Preterm infants are at risk of developing gastrointestinal complications such as feeding intolerance (FI) and necrotizing enterocolitis. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides continuous monitoring of abdominal oxygenation (ArSO2) and could help to predict gastrointestinal complications in preterm neonates. In this prospective observational study, ArSO2 patterns at first enteral feed were evaluated by NIRS in 61 clinically stable preterm infants. Splanchnic-cerebral oxygenation ratio (SCOR), which is a marker of gut hypoxia, was also calculated. ArSO2 and SCOR were significantly lower both at baseline and after feeding administration in infants who later developed FI (n = 23). NIRS could help the early prediction of gastrointestinal complications in high-risk preterm infants.