Clinical study of low-dose erythromycin for the prevention of feeding intolerance in preterm infants / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose erythromycin for the prevention of feeding intolerance in preterm infants. Methods Fifty-two preterm infants (30-31 weeks' GA group) and 68 preterm infants (32-34 weeks' GA group) were randomly subdivided into prevention groups and control groups. From the second day the prevention groups received intravenously erythromycin [3 mg /(kg·d)] for 10 days,the control groups received placebo of glucose. Results In 30-31 weeks' GA group,days to achieve full enteral feeding (DAFEF) ,days to regain birth weight (DRBW) and duration of hospitalization (DH) were shorter in the prevention group as compared to those in the control group, the incidence of feeding intolerance was lower too,but there was no significant difference (P >0.05). In 32-34 weeks' GA group, DAFEF [(13.8±4.5) d],DRBW [(10.5±1.6) d],DH [(28.5±6.8) d] were significantly shorter in the prevention group than those in the control group [(17.2±4.2), (13.8±1.5), (35.5±7.2) d],the incidence of feeding intolerance in the prevention group was lower too[ 17.6%(6/34) vs 35.3%( 12/34) ], there was significant difference (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion In 32-34 weeks' GA, low-dose erythromycin can be a safe and effective method to promote food tolerance in preterm infants, but not sure in 30-31 weeks' GA.