Parameters for Orally Feeding Neonates Who Require Noninvasive Ventilation: A Systematic Review

Infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be orally fed while receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV), but the practice is variable and decision criteria are not well understood. This systematic review examines the evidence regarding this practice, including type and level of NIV used during NICU oral feeding, protocols, and safety of this practice.

The PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were searched to identify publications relevant to this review. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to ensure the appropriate inclusion of articles.

Fourteen articles were included. Seven studies (50%) were retrospective. Two were quality improvement projects, and the remaining five (35.7%) were prospective. Continuous positive airway pressure and high-flow nasal cannula were commonly used. Levels of respiratory support were variable between studies, if reported at all. Three studies (21.4%) included feeding protocols. Six studies (42.9%) identified use of feeding experts. While many studies commented that orally feeding neonates on NIV is safe, the only study to instrumentally assess swallow safety found that a significant number of neonates silently aspirated during feeding on continuous positive airway pressure.

Strong data supporting practices related to orally feeding infants in the NICU who require NIV are scarce. The types and levels of NIV, and decision-making criteria, are variable across studies and preclude clinically useful conclusions. There is a pressing need for additional research pertaining to orally feeding this population so that an evidence-based standard of care can be established. Specifically, this research should elucidate the impact of different types and levels of NIV on the mechanistic properties of swallowing as defined via instrumental assessment.