Tube Feeding Duration Associated with Socioeconomic Factors in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease: Single Center...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Health Services Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) often require tube feeding post-cardiac surgery.
• While clinical factors are known to influence feeding tube duration, the impact of socioeconomic factors remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between socioeconomic factors and the duration of tube feeding in infants following CHD surgery.
• To identify disparities in feeding tube use based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 102 infants undergoing CHD surgery within 60 days of birth (2016-2023).
• Data collected included tube feeding duration, neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) using the Childhood Opportunity Index, race/ethnicity, and insurance type.
• Neighborhood SES was calculated using a validated method.

Main Results:

• Median tube feeding duration was 490.5 days, with 60.8% of infants needing tubes for over a year.
• Hispanic/Latino ethnicity was associated with the longest median feeding tube duration (1065 days).
• Longer hospital stay, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, and lower neighborhood SES scores were significantly associated with increased odds of prolonged tube feeding (>1 year).

Conclusions:

• Socioeconomic factors, particularly neighborhood SES and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, play a significant role in prolonged tube feeding post-CHD surgery.
• Disparities in feeding tube duration exist and warrant further investigation to promote health equity.
• Understanding the drivers of these disparities is crucial for developing targeted interventions.