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Method of home tube feeding and 2-3-year neurodevelopmental outcome
Allison Fisher1, Anna Ermarth2, Con Yee Ling1
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Insights
Infants discharged from the NICU with nasogastric tube feeds showed average neurodevelopmental outcomes. Home nasogastric (NG) tube feeding did not negatively impact development at 2-3 years.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric neurodevelopment
- Infant feeding practices
Background:
- Infants requiring tube feeds at NICU discharge face potential neurodevelopmental challenges.
- Understanding long-term outcomes for these infants is crucial for optimizing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2-3 years of age for infants discharged home on tube feeds.
- To compare outcomes between nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feeding.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of infants assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 3rd Edition (Bayley-III) at 2-3 years.
- Infants were discharged with either nasogastric or gastrostomy tube feeds.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze results.
Main Results:
- Infants on nasogastric feeds had median Bayley-III scores in the low-average to average range, with 75% achieving full oral feeds.
- Infants on gastrostomy tube feeds had median Bayley-III scores in the extremely low range, with 36% achieving full oral feeds.
- No distinct patient demographics correlated with feeding tube type at discharge.
Conclusions:
- Discharging infants with home nasogastric (NG) tube feedings does not appear to negatively impact neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2-3 years.
- Gastrostomy tube feeding was associated with lower neurodevelopmental scores and oral feeding achievement.
Objective:
To describe the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 3rd Edition (Bayley-III) of infants discharged home receiving tube feeds.
Study Design:
Retrospective review of infants discharged with nasogastric or gastrostomy tube feeds and completed a Bayley-III assessment at 2-3-years of age through a neonatal follow-up program. Results were reported using descriptive statistics.
Results:
Of infants discharged with nasogastric feeds, median Bayley-III scores were in the low-average to average range, and full oral feeds were achieved in 75%. Of infants discharged with gastrostomy tube feeds, median Bayley-III scores were in the extremely low range, and full oral feeds were achieved in 36%. Our data set did not demonstrate a distinct patient demographic that correlated to the type of feeding tube at discharge.
Conclusion:
Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2-3 years does not appear to be negatively impacted by the decision to discharge an infant from the NICU with home NG feedings.
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