Transpyloric feeding in the newborn: use in neonates with and without respiratory failure

In a peripheral maternity hospital providing Intensive Care for 5274 deliveries per annum, NJ feeding was attempted, in one year, in 57 neonates. One third of these weighed less than 1500 g at birth and 41 (71.9%) had respiratory disease. A standard technique, and a commercially available tube was used, and the tube was passed to the jejunum within 24 hours in 46 (80.7%) of the babies. NJ feeding was continued for varying periods, up to 50 days. The volume of milk given varied with the duration of the feed but feeds of up to 244 ml of milk/Kg body weight/day were achieved. Thirty-eight (66.6%) of the babies regained their birthweight by 20 days and major complications were uncommon. We have shown that NJ feeding can be used in low birthweight babies with serious respiratory illness, even when resources are limited.