Supplementary Material for: Meconium Evacuation for Facilitating Feed Tolerance in Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: A delayed passage of meconium is considered as a risk factor for feed intolerance in preterm neonates. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the effects of different therapeutic agents for meconium evacuation on feed tolerance in preterm neonates. Methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of different therapeutic agents for meconium evacuation in preterm neonates (gestation 24 h). Secondary outcomes included necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), weight at discharge and adverse effects. The results were summarised as per the GRADE guidelines. Results: Six RCTs (2 each of glycerine suppository and enema, 1 normal saline enema and 1 oral osmotic contrast agent; n = 442) with a low or unclear risk of bias were included. The pooled estimate (random effects model) showed no reduction in TFF [mean difference (MD) -0.03, 95% CI -2.47, 2.41, p = 0.98; level of evidence: low]. No differences in NEC [risk ratio (RR) 1.71, 95% CI 0.63, 4.65, p = 0.30; level of evidence: low] and weight at discharge (MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.30, 0.15, p = 0.50; level of evidence: low) were found. The trial assessing oral osmotic contrast agents reported a trend towards a higher incidence of NEC ≥ stage II. There were no other adverse effects. Conclusion: Limited low-quality evidence indicates that prophylactic glycerine suppository, small volume glycerine/normal saline enema or oral osmotic contrast agents to evacuate meconium did not reduce TFF in preterm neonates. Large, well-designed trials are essential to study this clinically significant issue.