Improved radiological assessment of neonatal feeding tubes.
BACKGROUND
In about one-fifth of radiographs performed in neonates, no exact gastric feeding tube position can be defined.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether injection of air via feeding tube before taking radiographs improves radiological assessment of its position.


METHODS
In the study group (n=153), air was injected via gastric feeding tube before taking a radiograph. The tube position on radiographs was compared with a blinded control group (n=381) with no injection of air.


RESULTS
The definition of exact gastric tube position was possible in 95% of the study group compared with 78% in the control group (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Injection of air before taking a radiograph significantly improves the definition of exact gastric feeding tube position in neonates.
Division of Neonatology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. daniel.quandt@kispi.uzh.ch
Daniel
D
Quandt
Egil
E
Brøns
Philipp Meyer
PM
Schiffer
Thomas
T
Schraner
Hans Ulrich
HU
Bucher
Romaine Arlettaz
RA
Mieth
D000388:Air; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D011029:Pneumoradiography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging