loading page

Severity of respiratory disease is correlated with time of first oral feeding and need for a gastrostomy tube at discharge in premature infants born at <30 weeks of gestation
  • +4
  • Emily Anderson,
  • Matthew Gregoski,
  • Daniel Gehle ,
  • William Head,
  • Thomas Hardy,
  • Alison Chapman,
  • Rita Ryan
Emily Anderson
Augusta University and University of Georgia Medical Partnership

Corresponding Author:emily.c.anderson8@gmail.com

Author Profile
Matthew Gregoski
Medical University of South Carolina
Author Profile
Daniel Gehle
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Author Profile
William Head
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Author Profile
Thomas Hardy
Medical University of South Carolina
Author Profile
Alison Chapman
Medical University of South Carolina
Author Profile
Rita Ryan
Case Western Reserve University Hospital
Author Profile

Abstract

Background: Premature infants who cannot achieve full oral feeds may need a gastrostomy tube (GT) to be discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We previously developed a model to predict which infants born <30 weeks (w) gestational age (GA) will require a GT before discharge. Here we report the detailed respiratory variable data to describe the general respiratory course for infants in the NICU <30w GA at birth and the association between different levels of respiratory support with postmenstrual age (PMA) at the time of first oral feeding attempt (PMAff), including later need for GT for discharge. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 391 NICU admissions comprising test (2015-2016) and validation (2017-2018) cohorts. Data, including respiratory support, were collected on 204 infants, 41 GT and 163 non-GT, in the test cohort, and 187 infants, 37 GT and 150 non-GT, in the validation cohort. Results: Respiratory data were significantly different between GT and non-GT infants. Infants who required GT for discharge were on significantly higher respiratory support at 30 days of age, 32w PMA, and 36w PMA. Respiratory parameters were highly correlated with PMAff. Conclusion: Respiratory status predicts PMAff, which was the variable in our previously described model that was most predictive of failure to achieve full oral feeing. These data provide a catalyst to develop strategies for improving oral feeding outcome for infants requiring prolonged respiratory support in the NICU.
09 Jun 2021Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
18 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
24 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Aug 20211st Revision Received
16 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
16 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
16 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2022Published in Pediatric Pulmonology volume 57 issue 1 on pages 193-199. 10.1002/ppul.25713