Slow advancement of enteral feed volumes to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants.

Ten randomized controlled trials with a total of 3753 infants, predominantly very preterm or VLBW infants, were assessed. Trials compared slow feed advancement (up to 24 mL/kg/day) with faster rates (30 to 40 mL/kg/day).

The intervention involved slowly advancing enteral feed volumes compared to faster advancements in very low birth weight infants.

Data indicated no significant reduction in the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) or mortality with slow feeding rates. There was a borderline increased risk of invasive infections in the slow feed group, and it delayed the establishment of full enteral nutrition.

Lack of blinding in included trials potentially led to biases in reporting outcomes.