Table 7.

Effect of “feeding” versus “fasting (npo)” on neonatal outcomes: adjusted odds ratios and correlation coefficients

	Total Population (n=177): Feeding versus Fasting (npo)
	Outcome Variable	p-value (95% CI)
Feeding Related Outcomes:
Age when taking 120 ml/k/d-days	−3.38	0.009* (−5.90 to −0.86)
Actual number of days to reach 120 ml/k/d-days	−3.64	0.001* (−5.83 to −1.46)
Difference between Actual and Ideal number of days to reach 120 ml/k/d-days	−3.52	0.001* (−5.56 to −1.48)
Feeding advance delayed by feeding intolerance or NEC	0.53	0.103 (0.25 to 1.14)
Feeding advance delayed by “other” causes	1.80	0.151 (0.81 to 4.03)
NEC/perforation - prior to reaching 120 ml/k/d	1.60	0.450 (0.47 to 5.48)
NEC/perforation - ANY TIME during hospitalization	0.97	0.963 (0.28 to 3.37)
Age when central venous line removed - days	−5.23	0.193 (−13.13 to 2.66)
Infection during feeding advance	0.63	0.247 (0.29 to 1.37)
Other Morbidities:
BPD	1.68	0.207 (0.75 to 3.77)
ROP-treated	2.28	0.277 (0.52 to 10.01)
Death	0.66	0.606 (0.14 to 3.16)
Death or BPD	1.74	0.167 (0.79 to 3.80)
Death, NEC or BPD	1.79	0.138 (0.83 to 3.88)

Analyses were performed by GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations) as described in Methods. The odds ratios (for binary outcomes), correlation coefficients (for continuous outcomes), p-values and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Predictive variables used in the models differed between the “feeding” and “fasting (npo)” groups in Table 1 with p-values ≤0.1. These included: multiple birth, RDS, Caucasian, umbilical venous catheter present at enrollment, PDA ligation during the hospitalization, and age when first fed. Note: when treated ROP was examined as an outcome, BPD was added to the other predictors in the GEE model.

^*p<0.05