Evaluation of blood flow velocity to determine the effect of fortifiers on intestinal hemodynamics

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of human milk fortifier (HMF) formulas on feeding intolerance and intestinal hemodynamics using superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity (SMA-BFV). Material and Method: The study was conducted on 36 infants born at a gestational age ranging from 26 to 326 weeks. Doppler-ultrasound (USG) was used to measure SMA-BFV. Demographic characteristics, the amount of gastric residue, and the number of stool passages were recorded for each of the patients in this study. Results: The superior mesenteric artery peak systolic velocity (SMA-PSV) increment after HMF was statistically significant (P=0.0011). A statistically significant increase was found in the amount of gastric residue and a significant decrease was found in the number of stool passages after the addition of HMF (p=0.0001 and p=0.034, respectively). Discussion: The use of HMF to achieve appropriate feeding and growth in preterm infants leads to an increase in SMA-BFV, a reduction in the number of stool passages, and an increase in the amount of gastric residue. It does not adversely affect intestinal hemodynamics.