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Prolonging gavage feeds for reduction of gastroesophageal reflux in infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 40, pages 916–921 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

To determine if prolonging gavage feedings in infants for ≥60 min is associated with decreased gastroesophageal reflux (GER) compared with bolus feeding using multiple-channel intraluminal impedance with pH probe (MII-pH).

Study design

Retrospective analysis of infants who underwent MII-pH between October 2009 and July 2018 and received gavage feedings. Infants were divided into two groups: bolus (<30 min) or prolonged (≥60 min). Symptoms, number of reflux events and percent time pH < 4 was compared.

Result

Fifty-eight infants underwent evaluation. Thirty-one (54%) received bolus gavage feedings and 27 (46%) received prolonged feedings. Groups differed in postmenstrual age. Total reflux episodes were significantly lower with prolonged feeding (median 19 vs. 28 episodes, p = 0.015), with no difference in acid exposure time. There was no significant difference in GER symptoms between the two groups.

Conclusion

Prolongation of gavage feedings was associated with decreased total numbers of GER events without reduction in GER symptoms.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Indications for MII-pH study in patient population expressed in percentage.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatology/Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, 19713, USA

    Michael T. Favara

  2. Pediatric Gastroenterology/Thomas Jefferson University/Nemours, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Sheeja Abraham, Joan DiPalma & Michele Epstein

  3. Neonatology/Thomas Jefferson University/Nemours, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Jay S. Greenspan & Zubair H. Aghai

Authors
  1. Michael T. Favara
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  2. Sheeja Abraham
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  3. Joan DiPalma
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  4. Michele Epstein
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  5. Jay S. Greenspan
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  6. Zubair H. Aghai
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Contributions

MTF conceptualized and designed the study, searched the literature, analyzed the data, drafted the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. SA analyzed the data, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. JDP critically reviewed the data analysis, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. ME performed the data collection, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. JSG conceptualized and designed the study, critically reviewed the data analysis, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. ZHA conceptualized and designed the study, searched the literature, analyzed the data, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zubair H. Aghai.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Favara, M.T., Abraham, S., DiPalma, J. et al. Prolonging gavage feeds for reduction of gastroesophageal reflux in infants. J Perinatol 40, 916–921 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0630-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0630-4

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