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Tube feeding outcomes of infants in a Level IV NICU

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 1406–1410 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

NICU patients are commonly discharged home with nasogastric (NG) or gastrostomy (G-tube) feeding, but wide practice variation exists. The objective of this study was to evaluate feeding and growth outcomes and complications in NICU patients discharged home with NG or G-tube feeding.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study of infants discharged from a Level IV NICU with an NG or G-tube who had follow up to 1 year. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

The study sample included 264 infants: 140 with NG and 124 with G-tube. More infants in the G-tube group (65%) still required tube feedings 12 months post-discharge than infants in the NG group (24%). Infants in the G-tube group had more tube-related ER visits than infants in the NG group. Growth outcomes did not differ.

Conclusion

Home NG feeding may be a safe alternative to a surgically placed G-tube in select NICU patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Sadie L. Williams, Brenda B. Poindexter & Stephanie L. Merhar

  2. University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Sadie L. Williams, Brenda B. Poindexter & Stephanie L. Merhar

  3. Advent Health for Children, Orlando, FL, USA

    Sadie L. Williams

  4. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Natalie M. Popowics

  5. Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Dawit G. Tadesse

Authors
  1. Sadie L. Williams
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  2. Natalie M. Popowics
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  3. Dawit G. Tadesse
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  4. Brenda B. Poindexter
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  5. Stephanie L. Merhar
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Correspondence to Stephanie L. Merhar.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Williams, S.L., Popowics, N.M., Tadesse, D.G. et al. Tube feeding outcomes of infants in a Level IV NICU. J Perinatol 39, 1406–1410 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0449-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0449-z

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