WSEAS Transactions on Biology and Biomedicine
Print ISSN: 1109-9518, E-ISSN: 2224-2902
Volume 22, 2025
Effect of Feeding Methods on Oxygen Saturation and Pulse Rate in Neonate with Congenital Heart Defect
Authors: ,
Abstract: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent birth defect, affecting 9 per 1000 live births, with prenatal incidence ranging from 2.4% to 52%, surpassing postnatal rates of 0.3% to 1.2%. Up to 60% of CHD children experience growth failure and poor weight gain, attributed to factors like swallowing dysfunction and inadequate sucking coordination. Maintaining physiologic stability during feedings is challenging due to the lack of suck-swallow-breathe coordination, leading to energy expenditure exceeding intake. Objectives: This study aims to explore variations in oxygen saturation and pulse rate across different feeding methods and their impact on neonates with CHD at various time intervals.Methods and materials: A prospective observational study was conducted at the neonatal unit of Karbala Teaching Hospital for Children in Iraq. Fifty neonates diagnosed with congenital heart defects, aged less than 28 days, were purposively selected to participate in the study. The inclusion criteria specified neonates who were receiving enteral feeds. Results: Analysis of records from 50 neonates revealed no significant variation in pulse rate across feeding periods (p=0.565). However, statistically significant differences were observed in oxygen saturation (p=0.017). Both oxygen saturation and pulse rate exhibited significant changes during the 1-hour monitoring period across feeding methods. While the mean pulse rate remained constant, mean oxygen saturation varied significantly across time intervals. Conclusions: Oxygen saturation fluctuates significantly across feeding periods, while the pulse rate remains stable. Transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle and tube feeding is associated with decreased oxygen saturation and increased pulse rate.
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Keywords: Feeding Methods, Oxygen Saturation, Pulse Rate, Neonate, Congenital Heart Defect, neonatal care, infant feeding, health outcome
Pages: 123-132
DOI: 10.37394/23208.2025.22.15