SynthesisBMJ paediatrics open2020
Evidence that informs feeding practices in very low birthweight and very preterm infants in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview of systematic reviews.
Synthesis in BMJ paediatrics open, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Early full or near-full enteral feeding in clinically stable preterm infants across healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Delayed introduction of progressive enteral feeds to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2022Pooled it
- Impact analysis and evaluation of the Ethiopian Neonatal Network.BMJ global health · 2026Article
- Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: An Inflammatory Condition at the Crossroads of Intestinal Immaturity, Dysbiosis, and Nutrition.International journal of pediatrics · 2026Review
- Evaluation of First-Week Fluid Intake and Maximal Weight Loss Percentage with In-Hospital Adverse Outcomes Among Moderately and Very Preterm Newborns in Ethiopia.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Improving the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis in Resource-Limited Settings: Gaps and Recommendations.Research and reports in tropical medicine · 2023Review
- Breastfeeding practices based on the gestational age and weight at birth in the first six months of life in a population-based cohort of infants from North India.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2023Article
- Enteral Feeding Practices for Very Preterm and Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Nigeria and Kenya.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2022Article
- Burden of disease and risk factors for mortality amongst hospitalized newborns in Nigeria and Kenya.PloS one · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 5 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundOptimal feeding of very low birthweight (VLBW <1500 g)/very preterm (gestation <32 weeks) infants in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) is critical to reducing high mortality and poor outcomes.
objectiveTo review evidence on feeding of VLBW/very preterm infants relevant to sSA.
methodsWe searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) from inception to July 2019 to identify reviews of randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of feeding VLBW/very preterm infants. We focused on interventions that are readily available in sSA. Primary outcomes were weight gain during hospital stay and time to achieve full enteral feeds (120 mL/kg/day). Secondary outcomes were growth, common morbidities, mortality, duration of hospital stay and cognitive development. Quality of evidence (QOE) was assessed using the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2).
resultsEight systematic reviews were included. Higher feed volume of day 1 (80 mL/kg) reduced late-onset sepsis and time to full enteral feeds, and higher feed volume (up to 300 mL/kg/day) improved weight gain without adverse events (QOE: low-moderate). Rapid advancement of feeds (30-40 mL/kg/day) was not associated with harm. Breast milk fortification with energy and protein increased growth and with prebiotics increased growth and reduced duration of admission (QOE: low-very low) and did not result in harm. Evidence regarding feeding tube placement and continuous versus bolus feeds was insufficient to draw conclusions. We found no reviews meeting our selection criteria regarding when to start feeds, use of preterm formula, cup-and-spoon feeding or gravity versus push feeds and none of the reviews included trials from low-income countries of sSA.
conclusionsThe evidence base informing feeding of VLBW/very preterm babies in resource-limited settings in sSA is extremely limited. Pragmatic studies are needed to generate evidence to guide management and improve outcomes for these highly vulnerable infants. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019140204.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.