Postoperative Feeding Guidelines Improve Outcomes in Surgical Infants

Background Early introduction of enteral nutrition (EN) in postoperative infants improves intestinal adaptation, reducing the risk of intestinal failure–associated liver disease (IFALD). Our objective was to determine whether guideline use reduces feeding variability and improves outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods In a cohort study, surgical infants at risk for IFALD were evaluated pre and post implementation of feeding guidelines at 2 NICUs. A total of 167 guideline infants (2013–2018) were compared with 242 historical controls (2007–2013). Adherence was measured with timing and volume of initial postoperative feed. Primary outcomes were IFALD incidence and time to reach 50% and 100% of energy from EN. Secondary outcomes were parenteral nutrition (PN) days, postoperative necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), and length of stay (LOS). Results Moderate IFALD decreased from 32% to 20% (P = .005) in the guideline group. Time to achieve 50% and 100% energy from EN was decreased from medians of 8 to 5 and 28 to 21 days, respectively (P < .001). There was an overall decrease in PN use from 41 to 29 days (P = .002), CLABSI incidence from 25% to 5% (P < .001), and LOS from 70 to 53 days (P = .030). Once stratified by diagnosis, infants with NEC showed greatest improvement and reduction in IFALD from 67% to 42% (P = .045). With no difference in postoperative NEC (P = .464). Conclusion Early standardized postoperative EN guidelines in intestinal‐surgery infants was associated with improved outcomes, including faster achievement of feeding goals and reduced IFALD severity, especially in infants with NEC.