Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Feeding Interventions for Preterm Infants With Abnormal Umbilical Artery Doppler

Abstract

Infants exposed to absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (AREDF) in utero may be at an increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This article reviews placental function and the development of AREDF. Studies examining the relationship between AREDF and NEC are reviewed, yet research remains inconclusive regarding this relationship. Recent studies reveal that early minimal enteral feeding does not increase the incidence of NEC in infants with AREDF. Initiation and advancement of enteral feedings should be monitored closely in this subset of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population.