Feeding outcomes of preterm infants discharged with feeding tubes

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Feeding difficulties are common in preterm infants.
• Feeding tubes (FT) are often necessary for nutritional support.
• Optimizing FT selection and management is crucial for infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare feeding outcomes in preterm infants discharged with nasogastric tubes (NGT) versus surgically placed feeding tubes (spFT).
• To identify factors associated with feeding tube dependence (FTD) at 12 months corrected age.
• To inform clinical practice regarding FT use in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of preterm infants (≤30 weeks gestational age) discharged with NGT or spFT between 2012-2020.
• Primary outcome: feeding status (full oral feeds vs. feeding tube dependence) at 12 months corrected age.
• Analysis included logistic regression to identify factors associated with FTD and healthcare utilization for FT complications.

Main Results:

• Infants discharged with NGT had significantly higher rates of achieving full oral feeds (76%) compared to those with spFT (24%).
• Feeding tube dependence was associated with being small for gestational age, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and continuous feeding regimens.
• Increased oral intake at discharge was linked to reduced odds of feeding tube dependence, while spFTs were associated with higher healthcare utilization for complications.

Conclusions:

• Nasogastric tube use may be associated with better oral feeding outcomes in preterm infants compared to surgically placed feeding tubes.
• Factors like SGA, BPD, and feeding type influence long-term feeding outcomes.
• Findings support individualized feeding tube selection and tailored follow-up strategies to minimize feeding tube dependence and complications.