الفهرس 
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Abstract
The requirements of growth and organ development create a challenge in the
nutritional management of neonates, especially premature neonates and intestinal-failure
infants. The stress of critical illness further complicates the delivery of adequate nutrients.
Nutrition support of the premature neonates must be designed to compensate for metabolic and
gastrointestinal immaturity, immunologic insufficiency, and the demands of associated medical
conditions. Tube feeding is necessary for most VLBW neonates. Feedings can be given via
nasogastric tube intermittently, every three hours, or continuously, using an infusion pump.
Intermittent bolus gavage feeding is the method more commonly used in practice;
although, continuous nasogastric feeding may improve energy efficiency, reduce feeding
intolerance, improve nutrient absorption, and improve growth.
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of continuous versus intermittent
bolus feeding on gastrointestinal tolerance, growth and cardiopulmonary parameters, in
VLBW neonates.
The study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Alexandria
University Children’s Hospital (AUCH). A convenient sample of 50 VLBW neonates who
did not initiate enteral feeding and free from any congenital anomalies which might
interfere with establishing enteral feeding or suspected or confirmed necrotizing
enterocolitis constituted subjects. The neonates were divided into two groups; 25 neonates
who received intermittent bolus gastric feeding and the other 25 neonates received
continuous gastric feedings.