Bowel habits in preterm infants: Observations from the first 2 weeks of life.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Uniform descriptions of normal preterm infant bowel habits are lacking, causing ambiguity in identifying abnormal bowel habits in this population. This study examines preterm infants' bowel habits and their association with maternal and infant factors in the first 2 weeks of life.

Methods

An observational study included infants with a gestational age (GA) < 31 weeks from January to September 2021. From infant and maternal medical records, information on prenatal events, 2 weeks of bowel habit observations, enteral feeding, and laxative treatment was obtained. Extremely preterm infants (EPI) and very preterm infants (VPIs) were defined as GA < 28 weeks and GA ≥ 28 weeks, respectively.

Results

Of the 93 infants, 53 (57%) were included, and 37 (70%) were EPI.

SUBMITTER: Beauchamp UL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12580467 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature