Impact of feeding method on diaphragm electrical activity and central apnea in preterm infants (FEAdi study)

Abstract Background In preterm infants, it is unknown whether feeding affects neural breathing pattern. Objectives By measuring the diaphragm electrical activity (Edi) waveform, we evaluated the effect of enteral feeding and compared the effects of feeding methods on neural breathing pattern and central apnea in very low birth weight preterm infants. Methods In a prospective, randomized, crossover study, ten non-ventilated preterm infants with birth weights  Results Although intrasubject coefficient of variation was not significantly different, individual responses to feeding and feeding method were variable. No significant difference in Edi timing, Edi min, Edi peak, or apnea was observed for the different epochs. Conclusions In this study cohort, neural breathing pattern does not appear to be consistently affected by enteral feeding or the feeding method. Compared with BF, SF does not appear to reduce the number or duration of apneas.