Tag Archives: AMT bridle

Data on Bridles -They Work!

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JA Lavoie et al. JPEN 2022; https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2409. Nasogastric Bridles are Associated with Improved Tube-Related Outcomes in Children

Retrospective study: 582 children had NGTs secured traditionally and 173 received nasal bridles 

Key findings:

Children with bridled NGTs were compared to their non-bridled NGT counterparts (all results below with p values <0.02):

  • 16.67 times less likely to experience ≥1 dislodgement (OR=0.06)
  • 2.5 times less likely to have one more ED visit (OR=0.4)
  • 4.76 times less likely to require one more radiographic exposure (OR=0.21)

My take: After learning about bridles at N2U in 2015 (thanks Praveen Goday), they quickly became popular in our institution. They improve NG/NJ outcomes.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition

Impact of NG Feeding Program for NICU Graduates

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A recent prospective cohort study (JM Lagatta et al. J Pediatr 2021; 234: 38-45. Full text: Actual and Potential Impact of a Home Nasogastric Tube Feeding Program for Infants Whose Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge Is Affected by Delayed Oral Feedings) shows that an NG home feeding program can get infants home sooner without tube-related readmissions.

The abstract, in my view, makes a mistake by emphasizing that NG fed infants (n=35) had less hospital readmissions and ED encounters than G-tube fed infants (n=65). This is problematic because infants who received G-tubes were much sicker than NG fed infants (see Table 1). Compared to NG patients, G-tube patients were more premature (32% 22-28 weeks vs 20% for NG), lower birthweight (2510 g vs 1664 g), more chromosomal anomalies (suspected & confirmed 38% vs. 23%), more likely to have abnormal brain imaging (32% vs 20%), and more likely to have a tracheostomy (34% vs. 0%). In addition, as noted below, the institution reports a very high rate of G-tube dislodgement.

Key points (in my view):

  • “Our institution uses a a bridle to secure NG tubes just before NICU discharge”
  • The authors delineate specific criteria for NG discharge: “at least 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) and weight of 2 kg; 5 days free of apnea or bradycardia requiring nursing intervention after discontinuation of caffeine; 2 days of temperature stability in an open crib; receiving home respiratory support (either room air, or at or below 0.5 liters per minute nasal cannula); at least 25% of feedings by mouth; age-appropriate weight gain; and without anatomic anomalies precluding NG tube placement”
  • “By 3 months after NICU discharge, 27 of 35 (77%) infants discharged with NG tubes had progressed to full oral feeds; of the remaining 8 infants, 3 received G tubes during the study period, and an additional 3 were scheduled to receive a G tube”
  • Median duration of NG use was 29 days. The discussion notes that discharge to home may facilitate quicker weaning from NG tubes (SL Williams et al. Tube feeding outcomes of infants in a Level IV NICU.J Perinatol. 2019; 39: 1406-1410)
  • The authors report a very high rate of G-tube dislodgement, 19 of 65, in a 3-month period. This point is not analyzed by the authors but suggests that the institution utilizes a G-tube prone to dislodgement (eg. secured by a balloon).

My take: This article makes two key points: 1. An NG feeding program can help get infants home sooner and safely (especially with bridle placement) 2. In their institution, G-tubes are dislodged a lot and this leads to frequent returns for medical care; this high rate of dislodgement may indicate a potential benefit to using a different type of G-tube.

Related blog posts: N2U -Part 2: Poor Growth and Short Bowel Syndrome, Nutrition Symposium Georgia AAP (Part 3) | gutsandgrowth

From Illuminarium Atlanta – WILD: A Safari Experience

N2U -Part 2: Poor Growth and Short Bowel Syndrome

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Chicago -from Lincoln Park

Chicago -from Lincoln Park

2015 N2U Syllabus & Presentations

Failure to Thrive –Praveen Goday

These sessions were case-based learning.

Case 1

2 mo birth weight 4.5 kg, taking 80 cal/kg/day –20 cal, formula-fed.  Taking 8 gm/day

What to do?

Point –If infant has a high birth weight (relative to height), there is a tendency to drop significant percentiles.  Often, careful observation is best approach. (Taal et al. Obesity. 2013;21:1261-8.)

Case 2: 14 mo birth weight 2.2 kg (at term), weight and length below the 3rd percentile but tracking. Weight-for-length is at the 25th percentile.

What to do?

For SGA babies, ensure adequate calories, avoid juice, ensure no GI symptoms, follow their growth

Case 3: Patient born at 36 weeks gestation, birth weight 3 lb. 14 oz. lbs., birth length 17 in.; Growth was a consistent problem throughout pregnancy; Dysmorphic; genetic workup – negative (Growth curves on pg 72-73 of syllabus).

More data: Taking 27 cal/oz, high-calorie baby foods, no GI symptoms, screening labs negative.  What are your options?  Make sure the length is accurate.  If the weight-for-length is really decreasing, then probably a trial of nasogastric feedings.  In Milwaukee, AMT bridle is often used to prevent dislodgement –youtube video (7:37 min), uses magnets.  Still, tubes need to be changed month.  The AMT bridle can work for tubes as small as 5 Fr.

Practical definition of Failure to Thrive:

  • Weight-for-length <2nd percentile (WHO growth chart for kids <2 yrs) or BMI ❤rd percentile. BMI more problematic in infants because of accuracy of length. If any inaccurate measurement, BMI value squares the length value; thus exponentially inflating any discrepancy.
  • Poor or no weight gain over a period of time that varies according to the age of the child
  • Significant downward trend in weight percentiles; however, 30% of full-term infants cross one percentile and 23% cross two percentiles between birth and 2 years of age
  • Keep in mind parental heights and correction for prematurity (where applicable).

Key points:

  • Large for gestational infants often have “catch-down” growth. Avoid overly aggressive nutritional intervention
  • In small infants who are growing steady and with good wt-for-ht, avoid overly aggressive nutritional intervention.
  • Older kids with poor growth –screening labs: TTG IgA, IgA, CBC, ESR, CMP, TSH, Urinalysis, and possibly fecal elastase.
  • Older kids with poor growth—1st steps: avoid juices, avoid grazing (no feeding outside mealtimes except water)/scheduled meals & snacks, and probably cyprohepatadine. Management: Have child sit at table for 20 minutes, feedings every 3 hours, and avoid force feeding.
  • In children with history of prematurity under 32 weeks gestation who do not catch up by ~6 months of age — usually never catch up.
  • In infants/children with highly selective diets, may be presentation of autism. Often, an approach in those with food selectivity is to start by offering only foods the child used to eat (for a day) and see if this will work (should be safe for at least one day).

Short Bowel Syndrome –Valeria Cohran (pages 9-20 in syllabus)

Case:  3 ½-year-old AAF who presents for a second option. She is a former 26-week infant who had NEC. She has approximately 45 cm of residual bowel anastomosed to the transverse colon.

  • TPN-dependent
  • Minimal oral intake
  • Diarrhea up to 60 ml/kg with Enfacare

 

GI Fluid losses –see page 15 of syllabus (Wessel et al Semin Perinat 2007; 31: 104-11).  Sodium losses ~140 mEq/L from stomach, 80-140 mEq/L from ileostomy –in comparison, normal stool with sodium of ~5 mEq/L.

Key points:

  • Normal intestinal length varies greatly by gestational age; so residual 45 cm length in a 26 week infant suggests much greater potential for improvement than 45 cm length in a full term infants (page 14 in syllabus).
  • Avoid probiotics in patients with central lines.
  • Sodium depletion (urine sodium <10) associated with poor growth. Probably urine sodium >20 is adequate. Though, if high urine potassium (more than double urine sodium), this could indicate that urine sodium is retained at the expense of spilling potassium (ie. May need more sodium) Related post: Don’t Forget to Check Urine Sodium | gutsandgrowth
  • Pectin (liquid) can be helpful: 1% of volume intake. Benefiber can be helpful –expensive. Related blog post: Green beans for short gut syndrome | gutsandgrowth
  • Bacterial overgrowth –treatment can help diarrhea. Try to minimize PPIs –6 months after resection (period of gastric hypersecretion). Cholestyramine is not a popular option due to trouble with usage. Related post: Rehabilitation for Short Bowel Syndrome | gutsandgrowth
  • Micronutrient/vitamin monitoring. Page 16 in syllabus lists the micronutrient concentration of parenteral products and RDAs of micronutrients. “Don’t take copper out of TPN” –unless high level. ‘Worry some about micronutrient deficiency while on TPN but perhaps worry even more when transitioning off.’ Ubesie et al J Pediatr 2013 162: 1692-96. 93% anemic in this study of transitioning off TPN (iron,copper, other causes –pg 18 in syllabus). Related blog posts:Missing ingredients in TPN -Case Report | gutsandgrowth and TPN Drug Shortages -A Useful Reference | gutsandgrowth
  • B12 deficiency. If high MMA (likely due to B12 deficiency), then B12 shots recommended. B12 important for cognition. Related posts: Are we missing Vitamin B12? | gutsandgrowth and What I Didn’t Know About Vitamin B12 and Crohn’s Disease …
  • Iron deficiency. Consider anastomotic ulcers/ulceration of STEP procedure.
  • Lipid minimization/fish oil lipid formulations
  • Follow kids even after coming off TPN –at least annually. These kids can develop problems many years later.

More related posts:

Disclaimer: This blog entry has abbreviated/summarized this presentation. Though not intentional, some important material is likely to have been omitted; in addition, transcription errors are possible as well.

These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications/diets (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician/nutritionist.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.