The effect of breast milk temperature on feeding intolerance in tube-fed preterm infants: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate different methods of warming breastmilk in tube-fed preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. Method: This was a parallel, prospective and randomized-controlled study. The study sample comprised 48 preterm infants aged 30–34 weeks, including 24 infants in each group. The effects of two different methods of warming breastmilk on the variables related to feeding behavior, discharge time, and weight gain in tube-fed preterm infants were compared. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the infants' discharge days and gastric residuals (p < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis found significant relationships between the method of warming breastmilk and the infants' discharge times and gastric residual frequencies. The infants who were given conventionally warmed milk were found 2.4 times as likely to have a gastric residual as those given device-warmed milk (Exp(B)/OR = 2.405, CI = 1.66–2.98). Conclusion: It was determined that the infants in the interventional group had lower rates of gastric residual and were discharged more quickly. Therefore, it is necessary and beneficial to warm breast milk to a specific temperature. © 2022 Neonatal Nurses Association