CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE AND SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY BLOOD FLOW

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Preterm infants not requiring a ventilator to breath are often placed on continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP to facilitate breathing. This apparatus delivers air flow through the nose and the air is therefore subject to be swallowed by the infant. Secondary to this process, infants receiving CPAP often demonstrate abdominal distention or "CPAP belly". It is unknown if this distention affects intestinal blood flow predisposing these infants to feeding intolerance and/or necrotizing enterocolitis. In this study we will evaluate the intestinal blood flow of preterm infants receiving CPAP and compare it to infants who are either mechanically ventilated or in room air. The blood flow will be measured prior to a feed and 45 minutes after a feed as intestinal blood flow should increase after feeding. By identifying a subset of infants with decreased intestinal blood flow in response to feeding, alternative feeding strategies would be designed to alleviate putting these infants at risk for feeding intolerance or intestinal damage.