Influence of different feeding patterns on feeding and intestinal flora in very low birth weight infants

Objective To study the impact of different feeding patterns on feeding and intestinal flora in very low birth weight infants.Methods 60 preterm infants hospitalized were randomly divided into breast-feeding group and preterm-formula-feeding group.Stool specimens was sustained in three days after birth, 2 weeks and 4 weeks of age, respectively while feeding symptoms were recorded, real-time PCR technology was used to measure intestinal specimens Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.Results The incidence of feeding intolerance in breast-feeding group was 16. 7% (5 patients), and in formula-feeding group was 43. 3% (13patients), the difference was statistically significant (P< 0. 05). The number of intestinal lactobacilli and bifidobacteria at 2 weeks in breast-feeding group were (8. 62 ± 1. 35) cfu/g and (9. 10 ± 1. 33) cfu/g, and in formula-feeding group were (7. 32 ± 0. 80) cfu/g and (7. 62 ± 1. 22) cfu/g, the difference was statistically significant (P< 0. 05). The number of intestinal lactobacilli and bifidobacteria at 4 weeks of age in breast-feeding group were (9. 43 ± 0. 26) cfu/g and (9. 97 ± 0. 54) cfu/g, and in formula-feeding group was (8. 31 ± 0. 58) cfu/g and (8. 54 ± 0. 53) cfu/g, the difference was statistically significant (P< 0. 05).Conclusion Feeding mode is an important factor for feeding and intestinal microbiota in very low birth weight infants. The number of intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in breast-feeding group were higher than those in preterm-formula-feeding group, while the incidence of feeding intolerance was significantly lower in breast-feeding group.