Method of home tube feeding and 2–3-year neurodevelopmental outcome

To describe the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 3rd Edition (Bayley-III) of infants discharged home receiving tube feeds.

Retrospective review of infants discharged with nasogastric or gastrostomy tube feeds and completed a Bayley-III assessment at 2–3-years of age through a neonatal follow-up program. Results were reported using descriptive statistics.

Of infants discharged with nasogastric feeds, median Bayley-III scores were in the low-average to average range, and full oral feeds were achieved in 75%. Of infants discharged with gastrostomy tube feeds, median Bayley-III scores were in the extremely low range, and full oral feeds were achieved in 36%. Our data set did not demonstrate a distinct patient demographic that correlated to the type of feeding tube at discharge.

Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2–3 years does not appear to be negatively impacted by the decision to discharge an infant from the NICU with home NG feedings.