Feeding intolerance following ophthalmologic examination
M. C. Hermansen and L. S. Sullivan
Reports of isolated cases of necrotizing enterocolitis following
administration of mydriatric medication and ophthalmologic examination
prompted a comparison of the incidence of feeding difficulties 24 hours
before and 24 hours after the ophthalmologic examination of 50 newborns.
All infants had received cyclopentolate hydrochloride and phenylephrine
hydrochloride before the examination. A critical review of the nursing
notes showed more abdominal distention and gastric aspirates in the period
following the examination than in the period preceding the examination. One
infant developed necrotizing enterocolitis during the 24-hour
postexamination period. This study demonstrates the risk of feeding
intolerance following the ophthalmologic examination of neonates. These
risks may be due to the known side effects of the mydriatics, to the
physical stress of the examination, or to a combination of both factors.
