495 - The Effect of Feeding Tube Dwell Time on Feeding Intolerance in Preterm Infants

Poster Number: 495
Publication Number: 495.424

Alissandre T. Eugene, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL, United States; Lauren V. Cervantes, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL, United States; Josef Neu, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Michael Weaver, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL, United States; Monica F. Torrez Lamberti, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Graciela L. Lorca, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Leslie Parker, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States

Background: Feeding Intolerance (FI) is associated with negative health outcomes in preterm infants including delayed time to reach full feeds, prolonged need for central line access and parenteral nutrition. Previous research suggests bacteria in feeding tubes (FT) may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances which may increase the risk of FI. Therefore, it is possible that a longer dwell time (time a FT remains in place) may increase the bacterial load in FTs thus increasing the risk of FI.

Objective: To determine the effect of FT dwell time on the incidence of FI [defined as abdominal distension (increase in abdominal girth by > 2cm), increased number of emesis episodes and prolonged time to reach full feeds (120mL/kg/d)] over the first 4 weeks of life in infants < 30 weeks’ gestation and < 1500 grams.

Design/Methods: In this randomized control trial, infants were randomized to have their FT changed every 0-48 hours or every 7-days. Incidence of abdominal distention, episodes of emesis, and number of days to achieve full feeds (120 mL/kg/d) was collected from the infant’s electronic medical record. Wilcoxon Rank-Sums test was used to compare the incidence of outcomes between groups controlling for gestational age, birthweight, and percentage of Mother own Milk (MOM) received.

Results: No difference in demographics were found between groups (Table 1). No statistically significant differences were present regarding incidence of abdominal distention (57.38 vs. 62.58; p=0.31), episodes of emesis (55.24 vs 64.68; p=0.14) or time to reach full feeds (51.91 vs. 63.09 days; p=0.07) between groups (Table 2). However, infants with a longer FT dwell time experienced more abdominal distension and episodes of emesis and required over 10 additional days to reach full feeds which may be clinically significant in this vulnerable population of infants (Table 2). 
 Conclusion(s): It is possible that the increase incidence of abdominal distension and emesis led to the longer time to reach full feedings.  Future research is needed to determine potential health effects of feeding tube dwell time.
Table 1. Infant Demographics per Group, providing mean (SD) or Frequency (%) n=119B7339B89-BE13-4B32-A4DA-BFCADA4AA89E_1_201_a.jpeg
Table 2. Infant Nutritional Outcomes per Group Providing Means and P-value (n=119)34B3E48A-2C03-43BD-8118-9BE327582C1A_1_201_a.jpeg