Predictors Of Postoperative Oral Feed Intolerance In Neonates With Intestinal Atresia

Background: Although surgical interventions for intestinal atresia areusually successful, oral feed intolerance could raise in certain cases.The aim of this study was to identify the factors that affectpostoperative oral feed by retrospective analysis.Methods: Neonates meeting the inclusion criteria, who were admitted toour center from1January2000to June2013, were enrolled into thisretrospective study. Time to establishment of full oral intake (TOI),length of hospital stay (LOS) were outcome measures. Univariate andmultiple regression were used.Results: Overall survival was85.7%. Mean TOI was20.4±17.8days, andmean LOS was35.6±44.8days. Multivariate analysis confirmed asignificant association with TOI for meconium peritonitis (P=0.024),luminal discrepancy between proximal and distal intestine (P=0.038),number of anastomoses (P=0.044), reportage of immature ganglion inproximal and/or distal intestine (P=0.029), and short bowel syndrome(P<0.001). Prematurity (P=0.022) increased the duration ofhospitalization without affecting time to full oral intake.Conclusion: Meconium peritonitis, luminal discrepancy, number ofanastomoses, reportage of immature ganglion, and short bowel syndromewere factors related to prolonged feeding difficulties. We advocatealertness for patients with these factors to reduce postoperative morbidity and treatment costs.