Influence of feeding regimens on non-invasive inferior vena cava and hepatic vein velocity measurements in infants

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding type and os motic load on intravascular volume status. Ninety term, healthy infants 2 m o of age were included in the study. The breastfed and formula-fed groups e ach consisted of 45 infants. Echocardiographic examination was performed be fore and after feeding. The collapse index of the inferior vena cava (IVCIC ) and right atrial pressure (RAP) were calculated. No statistically signifi cant differences were found between before- and after-feeding values of IVC IC, RAP and hepatic vein velocities in breastfed infants. In the formula-fe d group, after-feeding values of IVCIC were significantly lower and RAP, he patic vein systolic and diastolic velocities were significantly higher comp ared to the before-feeding values. Most of the mothers (78%) were unsuccess ful at preparing the formula at appropriate concentrations. No statisticall y significant differences were found between the before- and after-feeding values of IVCIC, RAP and hepatic vein velocities in infants being fed appro priately prepared formula. The after-feeding values of hepatic vein velocit ies were higher than those of before-feeding values; after-feeding values o f IVCIC were lower than before-feeding values in infants being fed highly c oncentrated formula. Conclusion: The values of inferior vena cava indices and hepatic vein veloc ities were not effected by feeding in infants receiving appropriately conce ntrated formula, like those of infants receiving breast milk. However, feed ing with highly concentrated formula may cause intravascular volume expansi on.