The Effect of Early Enteral Feeding on Neonatal Outcome After Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery In Assiut University Children Hospital

Abstract This prospective clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of early vs late enteral feeding after GIT surgery on neonatal outcome after surgery, weight gain, LOHS, time to reach FEF, time to pass first stool, SSI, sepsis and electrolyte disturbances. The study was conducted at Assiut University Children Hospital in one year included 84 neonates who were undergoing GIT surgery. The study included 2 groups: Group A: started EF within 2 days postoperative. Group B: started EF after 2 days postoperative according to clinician discretion based on clinical progress. Result; tolerance was significantly higher among neonates in Group A (P = 0.030). The LOHS at the post-operative time was significantly shorter among neonates in Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.001). The development of sepsis was significantly higher among neonates in Group B compared to Group A (P < 0.001). During the follow up period of the studied participants, 18 cases died with total mortality rate of (18/84, 21.4%). Among them; 2/18 (11.1%) from neonates in Group A versus 16/18 (88.9%) from neonates in Group B, with highly significant difference between both studied groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion; EEF in neonates within 2 days following gastrointestinal tract surgeries is beneficial in reducing the LOHS, mortality, and sepsis. Also improve weight gain at time of discharge and decrease risk of post-operative complications as anastomotic site leak.