• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Gastroenterology

Low evidence for glycerin use in preterm infants

byNeha JoshiandCordelia Ross
May 18, 2015
in Gastroenterology, Pediatrics
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. When comparing glycerin suppository or enemas to placebo in premature infants, there was no significant difference in terms of mortality, initiation of enteral feeding, or rectal bleeding.

2. There was a non-significant trend towards increasing rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants receiving glycerin suppository or enema compared to placebo.

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)

Study Rundown: Glycerin suppositories and enemas are frequently used in premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit setting; these are given to help evacuate meconium, with the intention that such a clean out may better facilitate enteral feeding. This meta analysis examined 3 randomized control trials comparing either glycerin suppository or enema to placebo. Results indicated no significant differences between the treatment groups in terms of mortality, initiation of enteral feeding, or rectal bleeding. There was, however, a non-significant trend towards increased NEC in those receiving the glycerin treatment compared to placebo. This meta analysis was significantly limited given inconsistent methodology amongst trials, moderate risk of bias, and small sample sizes. Three further trials are pending regarding the use of rectal glycerin in premature infants. While these trials will likely help elucidate any possible benefits, the current evidence for the use of glycerin enemas or suppositories in premature infants is deemed low.

Click to read the study, published today in Pediatrics

Relevant Reading: Meconium passage in extremely low birthweight infants and its relation to very early enteral nutrition

In-Depth [meta analysis]: This meta analysis examined 3 randomized control trials, which included a total of 185 premature infants less than 32 weeks gestational age. One trial (n = 81) compared glycerin enemas to no intervention; the other 2 trials (n = 104) compared glycerin suppositories to either no intervention (n = 54) or a sham procedure of opening and closing diaper (n = 50). Infants were given glycerin treatments starting between 12-48 hours of life and continued until either stool had transitioned or for a set 10-13 day timeframe. While individual trial results varied, the meta analysis suggested no significant differences between glycerin use and placebo with regards to mortality (P = 0.50) or initiation of enteral feeding (P = 0.43). Rectal bleeding was not seen in either group. Overall data suggested a trend towards increased NEC (RR 2.72, P = 0.13), but this may be convoluted given inconsistent methodology and risk for bias in incorporated studies.

RELATED REPORTS

Diagnostic tool may help identify cerebral palsy regardless of encephalopathy features

Post-operative exclusive human milk diet improves growth in neonates with single ventricle physiology

Double embryo transfer may be associated with neonatal risks

Image: CC

©2015 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

Tags: necrotizing enterocolitisneonatal intensive careneonatology
Previous Post

Low activity levels observed in youth dance classes

Next Post

Preschoolers not offered sufficient physical activity time

RelatedReports

“No Evidence of Disease Activity” may be useful goal in multiple sclerosis
Chronic Disease

Diagnostic tool may help identify cerebral palsy regardless of encephalopathy features

January 26, 2023
Cardiology

Post-operative exclusive human milk diet improves growth in neonates with single ventricle physiology

December 20, 2022
Assisted conception not associated with increased pediatric cancer risk
Endocrinology

Double embryo transfer may be associated with neonatal risks

December 19, 2022
#VisualAbstract: Expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants was non-inferior to early ibuprofen treatment
StudyGraphics

#VisualAbstract: Expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants was non-inferior to early ibuprofen treatment

December 13, 2022
Next Post
Preschoolers not offered sufficient physical activity time

Preschoolers not offered sufficient physical activity time

Cranial radiotherapy associated with increased risk of anterior hypopituitarism

Blood brain barrier permeability may predict infarct after hemorrhage

Stroke expansion following intra-arterial therapy may explain worse outcomes

2 Minute Medicine Rewind May 11 – May 17, 2015

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Factors associated with breastfeeding rates in Canada
  • Efanesoctocog alfa is efficacious in treating severe hemophilia A
  • Mavacamten associated with improvement in submaximal exertional tolerance: A secondary analysis of the EXPLORER-HCM randomized trial
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options