Accuracy of a Weight-Based Formula for Neonatal Gastric Tube Insertion Length. 2016

Sarah Nguyen, and Alice Fang, and Virginia Saxton, and James Holberton
Department of Paediatrics (Drs Nguyen and Holberton) and Medical Imaging (Dr Saxton), Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg; and Department of Paediatrics (Dr Fang), Box Hill Hospital, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.

BACKGROUND Gastric tubes are used in nurseries on a daily basis. Various methods of estimating gastric tube length for insertion using anatomical landmarks are used to assist correct placement. Sometimes, however, they can be up to 55% inaccurate. In 2012, we published a weight-based formula to estimate gastric tube length for insertion. OBJECTIVE This study reviews the rates of correct gastric tube placement, as confirmed by radiography, after the incorporation of this weight-based formula into bedside practice. METHODS A 6-month prospective study was performed in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. The formula estimating gastric tube length for insertion had been derived in an earlier study. This was incorporated into the hospital's policies and procedures guideline for the insertion of gastric tubes. Neonates with gastric tubes who required radiography for clinical reasons were included. The infant's weight and the type (orogastric or nasogastric) and length of tube were documented. A single radiologist assessed the tube position to be high, borderline, correct, or long. RESULTS A total of 195 chest radiographs were obtained. Correct tube position was found in 84% of instances. This was a statistically and clinically significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a simple weight-based estimate for gastric tube length improves correct position rates. CONCLUSIONS Further studies comparing accuracy of length/height and weight-based estimations for gastric tube insertion lengths in very preterm and extremely preterm infants are needed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007234 Infant, Premature A human infant born before 37 weeks of GESTATION. Neonatal Prematurity,Premature Infants,Preterm Infants,Infant, Preterm,Infants, Premature,Infants, Preterm,Premature Infant,Prematurity, Neonatal,Preterm Infant
D007363 Intensive Care Units, Neonatal Hospital units providing continuing surveillance and care to acutely ill newborn infants. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,Neonatal Intensive Care Units,Newborn Intensive Care Unit,Newborn Intensive Care Units,ICU, Neonatal,Neonatal ICU,Newborn ICU,Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU),ICU, Newborn,ICUs, Neonatal,ICUs, Newborn,Neonatal ICUs,Newborn ICUs
D007441 Intubation, Gastrointestinal The insertion of a tube into the stomach, intestines, or other portion of the gastrointestinal tract to allow for the passage of food products, etc. Intubation, Nasogastric,Gastrointestinal Intubation,Gastrointestinal Intubations,Intubations, Gastrointestinal,Intubations, Nasogastric,Nasogastric Intubation,Nasogastric Intubations
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D004750 Enteral Nutrition Nutritional support given via the alimentary canal or any route connected to the gastrointestinal system (i.e., the enteral route). This includes oral feeding, sip feeding, and tube feeding using nasogastric, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy tubes. Enteral Feeding,Force Feeding,Nutrition, Enteral,Tube Feeding,Gastric Feeding Tubes,Feeding Tube, Gastric,Feeding Tubes, Gastric,Feeding, Enteral,Feeding, Force,Feeding, Tube,Feedings, Force,Force Feedings,Gastric Feeding Tube,Tube, Gastric Feeding,Tubes, Gastric Feeding
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000465 Algorithms A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task. Algorithm
D013270 Stomach An organ of digestion situated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen between the termination of the ESOPHAGUS and the beginning of the DUODENUM. Stomachs

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