Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41403532›Full record

ReviewJournal of family medicine and primary care2025

Early versus delayed enteral nutrition for preterm Neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abdulwahab Alqahtani

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of family medicine and primary care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Early supplementation with live combinedFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026
    Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Abdulwahab AlqahtaniDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Preterm neonates often face challenges related to enteral nutrition initiation, and the optimal timing remains a subject of ongoing debate. Study Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing early versus delayed enteral nutrition initiation in preterm neonates. Methods: A systematic literature search identified eight RCTs meeting inclusion criteria, encompassing diverse populations and protocols. The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of feeding intolerance. Meta-analysis was conducted using a fixed-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed. Results: The meta-analysis demonstrated that early enteral feeding significantly increased the incidence of feeding intolerance among preterm infants (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.18-2.01). Individual studies exhibited varying trends, with some indicating balanced risks and others suggesting increased feeding intolerance in the early initiation group. The findings underscore the importance of considering individual patient characteristics and local protocols when determining the timing of enteral nutrition initiation. Variability in outcomes across different populations highlights the need for tailored approaches in neonatal care. Conclusion: This meta-analysis contributes insights into the association between early enteral feeding initiation and feeding intolerance in preterm neonates. Clinicians should adopt a nuanced approach, emphasizing vigilant monitoring and timely adjustments in enteral nutrition practices. Further research, including large-scale RCTs with standardized protocols, is warranted to refine guidelines and optimize neonatal care practices.

Indexed as

Enteralmeta-analysisneonatespretermsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41403532
PMCPMC12704999

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-SA
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Registered trials

None linked

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.