Outcome of Infants Discharged Home from the Neonatal Unit with Partial Nasogastric Feeds

Abstract

Aim: In our previous publication, we proposed an algorithm for safely discharging infants from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on partial nasogastric feeds (NGF), thus avoiding gastrostomy tube placement (GTP) for infants who were unable to take full oral feeds. This follow up study post intervention, is to determine the number of patients discharged home on partial nasogastric (NG) feeds, the effectiveness of this intervention measured by reaching full oral feeds within 3 months of discharge and parent view on this intervention and outcome. We also investigated the success of this intervention based on the main discharge diagnosis. Study Design: Retrospective single-center study of infants discharged from the NICU from June 2019 to Dec 2020. Chart review was done to determine the rate of follow-up, time of achieve full oral feeds, and discontinuation of NG tube. We calculated NICU days saved by calculating the days from discharge to reaching full oral feeds at home. Results: Patient records were available for chart review regarding their outpatient follow-up in 96%. 82% of patients reached full feeds on an average of 35 days (range 1day to 10 weeks). 10% of patients required GTP due to the need for prolonged gavage feeding. 2 records were unavailable. Infants discharged home with NG tubes saved 587 NICU days. 88% of the parents contacted over phone responded positively in their choice of NG tube instead of GTP. Conclusion: Discharge from NICU on partial NG feeds for select infants is associated with reduced NICU stay without increased post-discharge complications or increased parent satisfaction.