Dr Abimbola Momoh-Ojewuyi
Dr Khalid Mannan
Dr Bal Sharma
Tendai Nzirawa

Topic:
The outcome of the babies discharged home on nasogastric tube feeds and their parents’ satisfaction survey.

Background and aims:
The aim of our study is to use the data collected to review our practice after reviewing the outcome of the babies discharged home on nasogastric tube feeds and their parents’ satisfaction survey. 

Methods:
This was a retrospective study. We reviewed the data of babies discharged home on nasogastric tube feeds from the neonatal unit in our hospital from December 2009 – January 2018 and we made phone calls to the parents of the babies for over the phone survey with their consent.

Results:
From the list of 40 babies, the data was available for 36 babies. Out of the 36 babies, the majority of the babies – 14/36 (40%) had cleft lip and palate, 5/36 (14%) had cardiac disease, 4/36 (11%) had central hypotonia, 3/36 (8%) had chronic lung disease. 20/36 (56%) were delivered at term. The outcome was known for 20/36 (56%).  18/20 (90%) were orally fed and one baby (5%) had gastrostomy and one baby (5%) was still NG fed.  The feedback was received from 10/36 parents. The parents’ feedback was positive and 9/10 (90%) of the parents wished they had gone home earlier on reflecting back as they were initially terrified for their baby to be discharged home on nasogastric tube feeds but they found it easy to manage at home. The 90% did not have limitations to their daily activities.

Conclusions:
Based on parents’ feedback, babies who are clinically stable but delayed in establishing feeds should be considered for home nasogastric tube feeds earlier.