Responsive Feeding for Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors

Megan Talej, The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Emily R. Smith, The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Molly E. Lauria, The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Ramaa Chitale, The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Kacey Ferguson, The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Siran He, The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-1-2022

Journal

Pediatrics

Volume

150

Issue

Suppl 1

DOI

10.1542/peds.2022-057092F

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Responsive feeding may improve health outcomes in preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants. Our objective was to assess effects of responsive compared with scheduled feeding in preterm and LBW infants. METHODS: Data sources include PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, and MEDICUS. Randomized trials were screened. Primary outcomes were mortality, morbidity, growth, neurodevelopment. Secondary outcomes were feed intolerance and duration of hospitalization. Data were extracted and pooled with random-effects models. RESULTS: Eleven eligible studies were identified, and data from 8 randomized control trials with 455 participants were pooled in the meta-analyses. At discharge, the mean difference in body weight between the intervention (responsive feeding) and comparison (scheduled feeding) was -2.80 g per day (95% CI -3.39 to -2.22, I2 = 0%, low certainty evidence, 4 trials, 213 participants); -0.99 g/kg per day (95% CI -2.45 to 0.46, I2 = 74%, very low certainty evidence, 5 trials, 372 participants); -22.21 g (95% CI -130.63 to 86.21, I2 = 41%, low certainty evidence, 3 trials, 183 participants). The mean difference in duration of hospitalization was -1.42 days (95% CI -5.43 to 2.59, I2 = 88%, very low certainty evidence, 5 trials, 342 participants). There were no trials assessing other growth outcomes (eg, length and head circumference) mortality, morbidity or neurodevelopment. Limitations include a high risk of bias, heterogeneity, and small sample size in included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, responsive feeding may decrease in-hospital weight gain. Although the evidence is very uncertain, responsive feeding may slightly decrease the duration of hospitalization. Evidence was insufficient to understand the effects of responsive compared with scheduled feeding on mortality, morbidity, linear growth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm and LBW infants.

APA Citation

Talej, Megan; Smith, Emily R.; Lauria, Molly E.; Chitale, Ramaa; Ferguson, Kacey; and He, Siran, "Responsive Feeding for Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1567.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1567

Department

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences