Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
Published on: April 19, 2024
Feed-Thickening Practices in NICUs in the Current Era: Variability in Prescription and Implementation Patterns
Lauren L Madhoun1, Kimberly K Siler-Wurst1, Swetha Sitaram1
1The Neonatal and Infant Feeding Disorders Program, Center for Perinatal Research, Innovative Infant Feeding Disorders Research Program, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Background:
Feed-thickening for infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is performed due to concerns of dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). No standards currently exist regarding feed-thickening prescriptions and practices and this results in variable and potentially unsafe feeding approaches.
Methods:
Electronic surveys were sent to neonatal feeding therapists and providers in order to determine the prescriptions and practices currently being used for feed-thickening in the NICU.
Results:
A total of 313 responses were collected. Results revealed the majority of providers use thickened feeds for concerns of dysphagia or GERD with some reporting they thicken expressed breast milk. Variability of thickening prescriptions was noted regarding consistencies, thickening agents, and recipes used. Reported approaches for measuring, mixing, and warming thickened feeds varied.
Conclusion:
Variability was noted in the feed-thickening prescriptions and practices performed in the NICU. Further research and standardization are required to develop thickening guidelines.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

