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Heart rate changes during gauge feeding of neonates
Early Human Development
|December 1, 1980
Insights
Gavage feeding can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) in babies, especially preterms or those under 2.5 kg. To reduce risks, gavage feeding should be limited to infants weighing more than 2.5 kg.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Pediatric cardiology
Background:
- Gavage feeding is a common method for nutritional support in infants.
- Potential complications of gavage feeding require careful monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardiac effects of gavage feeding in infants.
- To identify risk factors for adverse events during gavage feeding.
Main Methods:
- Electrocardiographs (ECGs) were recorded in 38 infants before, during, and after gavage feeds.
- Data analysis focused on heart rate changes, particularly bradycardia.
Main Results:
- Significant bradycardia was observed in 40 ECGs (from 22 infants) following tube passage.
- The incidence of bradycardia was higher in preterm infants and those weighing less than 2.5 kg.
Conclusions:
- Gavage feeding can induce bradycardia in susceptible infants.
- Infants weighing over 2.5 kg may have a lower risk of bradycardia during gavage feeding.
- Restricting gavage feeding to infants above 2.5 kg is recommended to mitigate cardiac risks.
Abstract:
One hundred and one electrocardiographs (ECGs) were performed on 38 babies, before, during and after gavage feeds. Forty ECGs taken from 22 babies showed a significant bradycardia occurring after tube passage. The risk of this occurring appeared higher with preterms and with babies below 2.5 kg. It is recommended that gavage feeding be restricted to babies above 2.5kg.