minimal enteral nutrition
Also written as: MEN — Minimal Enteral Nutrition
Small volume enteral feeds given to premature infants primarily to stimulate gut maturation and hormone production rather than provide significant nutrition.
Full Definition
Minimal enteral nutrition, also known as trophic feeding or gut priming, involves administering small volumes of breast milk or formula (typically 10-20 ml/kg/day) to very low birth weight or critically ill infants while they receive most of their nutritional needs parenterally. The primary goals are to stimulate gastrointestinal tract maturation, promote release of gastrointestinal hormones, maintain intestinal villus architecture, and encourage bacterial colonization with beneficial flora. This practice may reduce the time to achieve full enteral feeding, decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, and improve feeding tolerance. Minimal enteral nutrition is usually initiated within the first few days of life once the infant is hemodynamically stable, even in the presence of umbilical lines or mechanical ventilation.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'minimal feeding' which may be ambiguous; specify volumes when documenting.
In Context
- "The 28-week infant was started on minimal enteral nutrition at 15 ml/kg/day while receiving parenteral nutrition for growth." — Nutrition plan
- "Minimal enteral nutrition with breast milk was initiated on day 2 of life to promote gut maturation." — Feeding protocol