Letters to the Editor
1 The University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78284
Although it is true that the rate of gastric emptying varies with the volume of its contents, it also varies with a number of other factors. The volume difference between preterm and term neonates in our study was dictated by practicality and in an attempt to reflect actual nutritional management of neonates. The feeding of 10 ml/kg to term babies might have resulted in almost complete gastric emptying by 30 minutes, but on the other hand we did not feel justified in exposing a small premature neonate to a bolus of 20 ml/kg.




