1. Lack of efficacy of a starch-thickened preterm formula on gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants: a pilot study
- Author
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Genny Raffaeli, Giacomo Faldella, Marianna Ferlini, E. Legnani, Luigi Corvaglia, Arianna Aceti, Elisa Mariani, Corvaglia L., Aceti A., Mariani E., Legnani E., Ferlini M., Raffaeli G., and Faldella G.
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pediatrics ,Treatment outcome ,Gestational Age ,Pilot Projects ,Infant, Premature, Diseases ,Gastroenterology ,Esophagus ,Gastro ,Internal medicine ,PRETERM INFANTS ,Electric Impedance ,medicine ,Lack of efficacy ,Humans ,gastro-esophageal reflux ,business.industry ,Infant, Newborn ,Reflux ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Gestational age ,Starch ,Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ,Infant Formula ,feed thickening ,Treatment Outcome ,Dietary Supplements ,Food, Fortified ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Gastroesophageal Reflux ,Female ,business ,Infant, Premature - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is common in preterm infants; conservative interventions (i.e. dietary changes) should represent the first-line approach. AIM: To evaluate by combined pH and impedance monitoring (pH-MII) the effect of a new preterm formula thickened with amylopectin (TPF) on GOR features in symptomatic preterm infants. METHODS: Twenty-eight symptomatic preterm newborns underwent a 24-hour pH-MII; each baby received eight meals (four of TPF and four of a preterm formula [PF]). GOR indexes (number, acidity, duration and height of GORs) after TPF and PF meals were compared by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Viscosity of PF and TPF was measured. RESULTS: TPF significantly decreased the number of acid GORs detected by pH-monitoring (TPF vs. PF: median 20 vs. 24.5, p = 0.009), while it had no influence on Reflux Index (RIpH), nor on acid and non-acid GOR indexes detected by MII, GOR physical features, and GOR height. TPF's viscosity was extremely higher than PF's, and further increased at pH 3 after the addition of pepsin. CONCLUSIONS: The new formula was found to reduce the number of acid GORs detected by pH-monitoring; it did not reduce neither total oesophageal acid exposure nor non-acid GORs. At present its extended clinical use cannot be recommended.
- Published
- 2012