Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between feeding intolerance, a common problem at neonatal intensive care units, and gastric pH levels. The gastric fluid pH levels of the preterm and term infants with feeding intolerance has been measured and compared with those of a control group.

Material and Methods: A total of forty-one preterm and term infants were included in the study (17 females, 24 males). There were 12 newborns (six preterms and six terms) in the study (patient) group and 29 newborns (six preterms and twenty-three terms) in the control group. The gastric fluid of the infants with feeding intolerance was received by way of a feeding tube and acidity was measured by using a pH-meter. The gastric pH was measured three times a day in the both groups and thirty minutes prior to feeding in the control group.

Results: There was statistically no significant difference between pH1, pH2 and pH3 levels of the two groups (p