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Transitioning Newborns from NICU to Home

Appendix B. Clinical Materials to Share With Primary Care Providers (continued)

Care, Treatment, and Development

Medications

Medication Indication Usual Dosing Regimen Recommended Monitoring Side Effects When To Stop

Albuterol (Ventolin HFA®) or Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA®)

Reactive airway (RA) disease associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

2 puffs inhaled by MDI every 4-6 hours as needed

None

Tachycardia, exacerbation of tracheomalacia, agitation

When wheezing episodes are no longer present and, in RA, taper and discontinue.

Inhaled beclomethasone (QVAR®)

Reactive airway disease associated with BPD

1 puff inhaled q12 hours

None

Reduced linear growth, thrush

When wheezing episodes are no longer present and, in RA, taper and discontinue.

Caffeine citrate (Cafcit®)

Apnea of prematurity

5-10 mg/kg/day PO daily maintenance dosing

(20 mg/kg loading dose)

None

Tachycardia, GI upset, agitation

Usually can discontinue between 34 and 35 weeks postmenstrual age, or after 5-7 days free of apnea.  Home cardiorespiratory monitoring after discharge may be prescribed for some preterm infants with an unusually prolonged course of recurrent, extreme apnea.

Chlorothiazide (Diuril®)

Fluid sensitive BPD; inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in distal tubule

20-40 mg/kg/day PO divided BID; maximum 375 mg/day

Once on stable dose, check electrolytes once a month.  If dose changes, check electrolytes 2-3 days later.

Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, hypochloremic alkalosis

After infant is stable on RA, allow to outgrow diuretic dose by 50% before stopping.

Furosemide (Lasix®)

Fluid sensitive BPD; inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle

1-4 mg/kg/day PO or IV daily, or divided BID

Once on stable dose, check electrolytes once a month.  If dose changes, check electrolytes 2-3 days later.

Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, metabolic alkalosis, photosensitivity

After infant is stable on RA, allow to outgrow diuretic dose by 50% before stopping.

Phenobarbital

Seizures

3-6 mg/kg PO daily or divided BID maintenance dosing;

(loading dose 20 mg/kg, may repeat once)

Target trough levels are 20-40 mcg/mL

CNS depression, cognitive deficits

Wean gradually as per neurology recommendations if seizure-free.

Ranitidine (Zantac®)

GERD, gastric hypersecretory states

2-4 mg/kg/day PO divided q8-12 h; maximum 6 mg/kg/day

None

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

When symptoms of reflux improve

Prevacid

GERD

0.5-1 mg/kg PO q day, maximum 7.5 mg/day

None

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

When symptoms of reflux improve

Ferrous sulfate supplements (Fer-In-Sol®)

Nutritional supplement, iron-deficiency anemia

2-4 mg elemental Fe/kg PO q day; maximum 15 mg elemental Fe/day

None

GI upset, constipation, nausea

At 1 year of age, unless iron-deficiency anemia present.

Vitamin D

( D-Vi-Sol®, Tri-Vi-Sol® or Poly-Vi-Sol®)

Nutritional supplement: Vitamin D intake of at least 400 IU/day is recommended

1 ml PO q day

None

GI upset

  

Potassium chloride supplements

Electrolyte replacement while on diuretics

1-2 mEq/kg/day PO divided 2-4 times daily; mix quantity in with feeds

Once on stable dose, check electrolytes once a month.  If dose changes, or diuretic class changes, check electrolytes 2-3 days later.

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hyperkalemia

As diuretic weans off, will need to decrease dose / discontinue KCl supplements and monitor electrolytes closely

Sodium chloride supplements

Electrolyte replacement while on diuretics

1-6 mEq/kg/day PO divided 2-4 times daily; mix quantity in with feeds

Once on stable dose, check electrolytes once a month.  If dose changes, or diuretic class changes, check electrolytes 2-3 days later.

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypernatremia

As diuretic weans off, will need to decrease dose / discontinue NaCl supplements and monitor electrolytes closely

Return to Appendix Contents

Neurodevelopment

Risk Factors for Neurodevelopmental Outcome
  • Developmental progress may be variable for motor and language skills.
  • BPD, even in the absence of overt brain injury, is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental delay.
  • Peri- or intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, sepsis, complex congenital heart disease, and hearing loss have a negative effect on neurodevelopment.
  • Post-discharge social and environmental conditions significantly influence cognitive outcome.
  • Infants with low birth weight who live in an underprivileged (i.e., low socioeconomic) environment have the greatest risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcome.
Testing
  • Adjust an infant's age for prematurity until he/she is 2 years adjusted age.
  • Include developmental screening as a regular component of well-child care.
  • Use standardized screening tests to assure consistency and accuracy in the identification of infants who may need a more comprehensive developmental evaluation.
  • Repeat screening tests at each well-child visit in order to follow their developmental trajectory.
  • If an evaluation is abnormal or parents express concerns, a specific intervention needs to be started within 2 months.
  • Parental report of current skills is predictive of developmental delay.
  • Parental concerns about language, fine-motor, cognitive, and emotional-behavioral development are highly predictive of true problems.
  • Parent test instruments have excellent psychometric properties and are comparable to screening tests administered by medical staff.  These include:
    • Parent's Evaluation of Developmental Status.
    • Ages and Stages Questionnaires.
    • Child Development Inventories.
  • Screening tests requiring direct examination of the infant:
    • Denver-II Screening Test.
    • Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener.
    • Battelle Developmental Inventory.
    • Early Language Milestone Scale.
  • Screening tests for behavioral and psychosocial problems:
    • Temperament and Atypical Behavior Scale.
    • Child Behavioral Checklist.
    • The Carey Temperament Scales.
    • Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory.
    • Family Psychosocial Screening.
Behavioral Issues
  • Infants <1500g have an increased risk of behavioral, social, and emotional problems in early childhood, and these may persist.
    • Behavioral: peer conflict; aggressiveness; hyperactivity; less adaptability, activity, attention, and persistence.
    • Social: lower levels of social competence and poorly developed social skills.
    • Emotional: increased risk of developing ADHD.
Referrals / Early Intervention Programs
  • Recommend management along with developmental pediatricians, early childhood intervention programs, and possible neurology.
  • Questionable or borderline evaluations necessitate early and frequent repeat assessments to detect trends in the child's development.
  • Err on the side of caution, and refer the infant for formal testing early rather than waiting.
  • Identifying a child as needing a more complete evaluation may provoke anxiety in a parent but should not be avoided even in cases of mildly delayed children.
  • Intervention referrals should be made early for infants or children younger than 3 years who are at risk for, or experiencing, developmental delay.
  • Early intervention programs provide, at no cost to families:
    • Family education and counseling, home visits, parent support groups, speech pathology, audiology,  occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, nursing services, nutritional services, social work, vision services, access to assistive technology devices.
Outcomes
  • Poor head growth by 8 months corrected age is a strong predictor of poor cognitive function, poor academic achievement, and behavioral issues at 8-9 years of age.
  • Cerebral palsy, a nonprogressive, chronic disorder of posture and movement is:
    • 28 times more frequent than in term infants.
    • Most often manifests as spasticity in the lower extremities (spastic diplegia).
    • Characterized as hypotonia in infancy followed by spasticity later, increased deep tendon reflexes, clonus, abnormal postural reflexes, "commando" creeping.
  • Among adolescents who were former VLBW infants:
    • 30-50% have poor academic achievement.
    • 20-30% have ADHD.
    • 25-30% have psychiatric disorders.

Premature infants:

  • 40-80% may have transient tone abnormalities that usually resolve by 12 months corrected age.  These include increased or decreased muscle tone, poor head control, jerky movements, tremors, asymmetry, and delayed development of autonomic reactions.
  • 30% of infants born <1000g with "normal" head ultrasound at discharge have cerebral palsy or other severe developmental delay at followup.
  • Frequently exhibit a delay in expressive language over the first 2 years of age.
  • Have a high rate of impaired visual-motor integration and neuromotor and cognitive functions; problems with behavior and temperament may occur in early childhood and can persist.
  • 45-50% with a birth weight <1000g require special educational services.

Return to Appendix Contents

Ostomy Care

Ostomy Basics
  • An ostomy is usually temporary and created as part of a staged surgical approach to divert fecal matter, allow for resolution of inflammation, and to provide time for infant to grow and stabilize.
  • Often has 2 parts: proximal ostomy and distal mucous fistula for distal bowel decompression.
  • Premature infants have specific issues:
    • Epidermal barrier is far less well-developed, with only 2-3 layers of stratum corneum, compared to term infant's 10-20 layers.
    • Dermal-epidermal junction has fewer anchoring elements to bond the epidermis to the underlying dermis, so skin is more susceptible to friction injury and blistering.
Care
  • Skin must be protected from effluent (i.e., low pH, liquid, and contains enzymes).
  • Peristomal skin must be protected from mechanical trauma due to use of aggressive adhesives, improper adhesive removal, or inappropriate cleansing.
  • Moldable barrier or caulking strips can be used to fill in skin creases or scars.
  • After applying barrier, warm with hand to mold to contours of abdomen and increase adhesion.
  • Attach pouch. It should be clear to allow inspection of stoma and effluent, and the pouch opening should be no more than 1/8 inch in diameter larger than stoma.
  • Vent frequently to prevent gas pressure from compromising the seal.
  • To remove pouch, use a soft cloth dampened with warm water to loosen barrier adhesive.
  • Soap may be helpful for particularly adherent barriers, but be sure to completely rinse it away.
  • The soiled pouch should be removed by gently pushing down on skin to separate it from the wafer while lifting up on the pouch.
  • Commercial adhesive removers should not be used as they contain alcohol, which may be absorbed and cause neurologic toxicity.
  • Use only alcohol-free skin sealant, a plasticizing agent applied to the skin to create a barrier.
  • Gently clean peristomal skin with water between pouch applications.
Troubleshooting
  • Peristomal skin damage:  loss of epidermis results in "weeping" of serous exudate, and fluid accumulation can decrease adhesion of pouch.
    • Apply skin barrier powder to "weepy" areas prior to pouching.
  • Denuded peristomal skin:
    • May need period of non-pouching.
    • Protect peristomal skin from effluent with an occlusive barrier ointment. (Do not use a cream, as they are water soluble).
    • Place fluffed gauze or diaper around stoma to absorb effluent.
  • Fungal infections: can occur in the warm, moist environment beneath the barrier and erode skin.
    • Apply nystatin powder to involved area; gently brush away excess powder before applying the barrier and pouch.
    • May "seal" nystatin powder by patting it with a damp finger after application and allow it to dry before reattempting barrier placement.
  • Liquid stool pooling around stoma and degrading barrier is common in ileostomies and jejunostomies.
    • Use cotton or gauze to wick the fluid away from the stoma toward the bag.

Return to Appendix Contents

Sleep in Preterm Infants

SIDS
  • Preterm infants are known to be at higher risk for SIDS; high-risk period lasts up to 10 months.
  • To reduce risk:
    • Use supine positioning on a firm mattress with no fluffy or loose bedding.
    • Be sure the infant's face remains uncovered.
    • Do not allow smoking in the household.
    • Support breastfeeding through the first year of life.
    • Consider offering a pacifier to infants >1 month of age at naptime.
Sleep States
  • Active sleep:
    • Respiration is uneven and primarily costal in nature; REM occurs intermittently.
    • Sporadic motor movements may occur with low muscle tone between these movements.
    • May have a functional role in stimulating the nervous system, encouraging growth and maturation.
  • Quiet sleep:
    • Respiration is regular and abdominal in nature.
    • Maintains tonic level of muscle tone.
    • Motor activity is limited to occasional startles, sighs, or other brief movements.
Development
  • As development progresses:
    • Awake time and quiet sleep time increases, and active sleep without REM decreases.
  • Newborn infant spends 2/3 of each day asleep; by 6 months only half of each day is spent asleep.
    • Sleep consolidation is an important aspect of the infant's sleep development.
  • Infants after 28 weeks corrected postmenstrual age may benefit from circadian lighting cycle.
    • Studies have shown that these benefits are most pronounced after discharge and persist for several months:
      • More organized and longer sleep cycles.
      • Improvements in weight gain.
Sleep Patterns and Cognitive Development
  • Development of sleep-wake cycles likely has major impact on development of most infant behaviors.
  • Term infants who sleep for long, quiet periods early in the night and infants who sleep for longer periods uninterruptedly are more likely to obtain high scores on the Bayley mental scale at 6 months and 1 year of age.
  • Sleep problems are more common in preterm infants, especially in the early weeks at home.
    • Caused by: immature sleep-wake cycles, disruptions in sleep patterns caused by the need to give medications, and heightened parental concerns about infant's vulnerability.
    • If severe, may benefit from sleep training or referral to sleep specialist.
  • To help the infant's state regulation, swaddle the infant, keeping the infant's arms and legs close to the body, and avoid sudden movements.

Return to Appendix Contents

Tracheostomies

Tracheostomy Basics
  • Indications:  upper airway obstruction, long term ventilation, ease of pulmonary toilet, to protect the airway.
  • Tube selection based on:
    • Indication for tracheostomy.
    • Tracheal width/length/shape.
    • Upper airway resistance.
    • Lung mechanics.
    • Needs of the child for speech/ventilation/airway clearance.
  • Tube diameter:
    • Outer diameter of the tube should not exceed 2/3 of the tracheal diameter.
    • Use the largest size possible to reduce airway resistance, keep work of breathing low, reduce the risk of aspiration, and allow efficient pulmonary toilet.
  • Length of tube:
    • Should extend 2 cm distal to the stoma, but be no closer than 1-2 cm from the carina.
    • Should be 3-6 cm (neonatal length tube) for children under 1 year.
  • Curvature of tube:
    • Distal end of tube should be concentric and co-linear with the trachea.
  • Tracheostomy tube connector:
    • Needs standard 15 mm connector at upper end to allow connection to a bag or ventilator.
Types of Tubes
  • PVC: Softens at body temperature but becomes more rigid with use and may develop cracks.
    • Shiley, Portex.
  • Silicone: Less rigid, naturally soft, does not stiffen with repeated use, may be an option in children in whom standard PVC tube does not provide a satisfactory fit.
    • Bivona.
  • Cuffed: Indicated to prevent chronic aspiration, or when ventilating with high pressures.
    • May cause tracheal erosion unless the cuff is regularly deflated.
  • Fenestrated: Allows the patient to breathe around and through the tube; may promote translaryngeal airflow and enhance secretion clearance.
  • Speaking valves: Have thin silicone membrane that allows inspiration via the tracheostomy tube and direct expiratory flow around the tube up to the vocal cords.
    • If expiratory flow is obstructed, this may cause overinflation of the lungs.
    • These should not be used in very small or very sick infants due to the superimposed increased work of breathing.
Care
  • Stomal care:
    • Clean skin around the neck with a damp cloth.
    • Encrusted secretions under neck plate can be removed with a cotton wool swab and normal saline twice a day and as needed.
      • Always remove secretions by rolling from the stoma outward.
    • Skin around stoma should be kept dry; a partially slit dressing made of non-fluffy, water-permeable material may help.
  • Humidity: Lack of humidity in inhaled air will cause pathological changes in structure and function of airway, as well as thickening of secretions and increased risk of mucous plugging.
    • Always add warm humidified oxygen to ventilator or tubing.
    • Passive humidifier (artificial nose, Heat-Moisture-Exchanger): picks up heat and moisture during exhalation and partially returns it during inspiration.
      • Cannot be used with speaking valves, and creates extra resistance.
  • Suctioning:
    • Best performed on as-needed basis.
    • Indications: Oxygen desaturation, patient anxiety or restlessness, visible secretions in tube, or increasing respiratory distress with noisy respirations or tachypnea.
    • Set suction pressure between 80-100 mmHg.
    • Shallow suctioning: Only insert catheter to depth where side-holes reach tip of tube.
    • Deep suctioning: Insert catheter until resistance met, apply suction on withdrawal:
      • This technique should not routinely be used due to risk of mucosal damage.
    • Suction rapidly (<5 sec) to prevent development of atelectasis.
    • On withdrawal of catheter, twist between fingers to clear secretions as much as possible.
    • American Thoracic Society does not recommend any use of saline during suctioning.
    • Use clean technique (reuse catheters cleaned with alcohol and soapy water) at home.
  • Changing out tracheostomy:
    • Change the tube every few weeks; more frequently if develops inspissated secretions.
    • Replacement tube, smaller tube, and self-inflating bag should all be in easy reach.
    • Position infant with blanket under shoulders to extend neck slightly for visualization.
    • Use an obturator (the curved plastic device that fits inside trach tube) to place tube, with a downward curving motion, then immediately remove obturator once tube is in place.
    • Secure trach with twill tapes tied by triple square knots to both sides of neck flange.
    • Tapes should be tight enough to prevent accidental decannulation, but loose enough to allow for change in neck size during activity.
    • Correct tension is when one finger can be slipped beneath tape at back of flexed neck.
  • Speech development:
    • Crucial factors affecting speech and language are the age at and duration of cannulation.
    • Use speaking valve (e.g., Passy-Muir valve), if tolerated, in infants as young as 2 weeks.
    • If not tolerated, alternative methods of communication should be introduced.
    • All patients with a tracheostomy should be followed by speech therapist.
  • Additional concerns:
    • When continuous presence of a competent caregiver is not available, child should always be connected to a reliable monitoring device.
    • Oral feedings should always be supervised to prevent aspiration through tracheostomy.
    • Bath water level should not be higher than the abdomen; constant supervision and care are necessary to prevent aspiration of splash water.
    • Clothing should not have furry or fluffy materials; high necklines should be avoided.
    • Avoid exposure to feathery or furry pets, garden sprinklers, fountains, swimming pools, sand pits, powdery building or cleaning materials, smoke, household sprays.
    • Smoking should be forbidden around a patient who has a tracheostomy.
  • Emergency package should be with child at all times and contain:
    • Spare tracheostomy tube of same size and one size smaller, scissors, ties, suction catheter, normal saline, gloves, self-inflating bag with appropriate sized mask.
    • Information card with details on brand, size, and length of tube; catheter insertion depth; reason for tracheostomy; potential individual risks; names and telephone numbers of physicians, therapists, nurses, and service and maintenance companies.
Complications
  • Mortality directly associated with tracheostomy ranges between 0.5% and 3%.
    • Most result from accidental decannulation or blockage of tracheostomy tube.
  • Granuloma formation is the most frequent complication.
    • Usually occurs just superior to the internal stoma site on the anterior tracheal wall.
    • Large granulomas may cause bleeding, aphonia, and accidental decannulation.
  • Accidental decannulation: Emergency kit described above should always be at hand.
  • Blockage of the tracheostomy tube will cause sudden deterioration in a child with a tracheostomy.
    • Suction, and give positive pressure breaths with the self-inflating bag.
    • If no response, change the tracheostomy tube.
    • If tube cannot be replaced, bag-mask ventilate while occluding stoma.
  • Bleeding:
    • Tip of tube may irritate tracheal wall, causing irritation, inflammation, and ulceration.
    • Anterior wall erosion can invade innominate artery, causing catastrophic hemorrhage.
  • Infection:
    • Bronchitis/tracheitis may cause increase in purulent secretions with an increased risk of plugging.
    • Periostomal infection may cause erythema or drainage around stomal site; treat with topical antimicrobials, more frequent tube changes and cleanings.
  • Tracheo-esophageal fistula may occur as a result of posterior wall erosion.
  • Aspiration is a risk associated with fractured tracheostomy tubes or other foreign objects.
  • Granulation tissue that grows around the external stoma causing partial occlusion may be treated with silver nitrate application.
  • Suprastomal collapse:
    • Pressure on tracheal cartilage just superior to the stoma may cause chondritis and weakening of the cartilage.
  • Subglottic stenosis may be caused by intraoperative damage to cricoid, tracheostomy placed too high, mucosal trauma, or low-grade chronic inflammation.
Followup and Decannulation
  • Once stable, patients should be seen every 1-3 months by ENT; initially they should be seen more frequently.
  • Imaging is not routinely required, only when complications develop.
  • Routine endoscopic evaluation by flexible bronchoscopy on a 6- to 12-month basis to assess airway pathology and readiness for decannulation.
  • Decannulation:
    • Most children are able to be decannulated within 2 years.
    • Tracheostomy tube is serially downsized, and when the child tolerates it, capped.
    • Stoma usually closes within few hours of tracheostomy tube's removal.
    • Removal creates an increase in dead space, resulting in an increased work of breathing.
  • Persistent tracheocutaneous fistula:
    • Occurs in up to 40% of children post-decannulation.
    • May signal an underlying airway obstruction; assess airway patency prior to closure.

Return to Appendix Contents

Feeding

Breast Milk

Benefits
  • Optimal food for almost all infants regardless of gestational age.
  • Has been shown to improve subsequent mental development in term/preterm infants as well as provide enhanced protection against infection.
  • Premature infants with BW<1800-2000g are supplemented with human milk fortifier while hospitalized to provide adequate calories, protein, and nutrients for growth and development.
  • Human milk fortifier is not recommended after discharge.
  • Mothers of premature babies produce milk with significantly higher concentrations of lipids, proteins, sodium chloride, iron, anti-infective properties (e.g., IgA), and neuroprotective properties for approximately 4-6 weeks following birth.
  • Nutritional composition of breast milk varies greatly among mothers.
Recommendations
  • Slow feeding and easy fatigue are common problems after discharge.
  • Feed on demand every 1.5-3 hours; preterm infants may require a schedule for feedings (e.g., every 3 hours).
  • If supplementation is required at discharge due to prematurity, poor growth, inadequate volume intake, or fluid restriction:
    • 2-4 feedings per day with premature transitional formula (22kcal/oz), and remainder as breastfeeding (preferred method), or—
    • Add premature transitional formula powder (Enfamil EnfaCare Lipil 22 or Similac NeoSure 22) to expressed breast milk to make 24-30 kcal/oz (call dietitian for recommendations and recipe).
  • Infants <34 weeks or BW<1800g should receive a multivitamin (1mL/day) and an iron supplement (2 mg/kg/day) for the first year of life (can be given as 1mL of MVI with Fe).
  • All term breastfeeding infants should receive Vitamin D (400 IU/day) as 1mL of MVI.
  • Infants who have birthweight <1500g and are discharged on unfortified human milk may be at risk for nutritional insufficiency (growth failure and metabolic bone disease).
    • Evaluate at 2-4 weeks post-discharge and as needed thereafter: weight, length, FOC, serum phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase activity.
    • If poor growth or abnormal laboratory results, recommend neonatal dietitian consult to assess need for supplementation or further evaluation.
Growth Outcomes
  • Very low-birthweight infants fed human milk initially have slower early growth, but have improved Bayley mental developmental index scores.
  • Early catch-up growth for length (<9 months) and head circumference (<4 months).

Return to Appendix Contents

Feeding Tubes

Types of Devices
  • Nasogastric (NG) tube: non-weighted, polyurethane tube for use more than 10 days.
  • Gastrostomy tube: tube protrudes from anterior abdominal wall; most common initial gastrostomy device.
  • Button/skin-level gastrostomy: access device that is flush to the skin.
    • Mushroom tip: mushroom or wing-tip portion to secure the tube to the stomach wall.
    • Balloon tip: port on external portion of catheter to inflate or deflate the balloon securing the tube to the stomach wall.
Care
  • Recommend management with consultation from GI and pediatric surgery.
  • Check NG tube position by aspiration of gastric fluid before each feeding, or if child has been retching/vomiting/coughing.
  • NG or G-tube/button care:
    • Assess skin around tube site for redness and skin breakdown with every feeding.
    • Use ordinary soap and water to clean around the tube site to prevent build-up of debris.
    • Keep the tube open for a short time after feedings, to allow infant to "burp."
    • Flush tube with water before and after feedings or medications to prevent occlusion.
    • Check external tube length daily to make sure tube has not migrated, and adjust as needed.
  • Check G-button balloon volume 1-2 times per week, and re-inflate as needed to initial volume.
  • Button devices typically last several months; replace when the valve fails and/or the tube leaks.
Complications
  • NG tubes:
    • Easily displaced.
    • Risk of malplacement/pulmonary aspiration.
    • Gastric or esophageal trauma during placement.
  • Gastrostomies:
    • Granulation tissue (67%).
      • Bleeding (28%).
      • Pain (65%).
      • Requiring silver nitrate (56%).
    • Broken or leaky tube (56%).
    • Dressing needed on a regular basis to control drainage (60%).
    • Stomal infection requiring antibiotics (45%).
    • Drainage of pus or clear fluid from the stoma (82%).
    • Leakage of tube feed at least 1-2 times per month (49%), daily (25%).
Troubleshooting
Complication Causes How to avoid/prevent/cure
Displaced tube
  • Inadequate seal.
  • Check tube length, balloon volume regularly.
  • If tube comes out before tract has formed (6-12 weeks), must be reinserted by a physician.
  • If replacement tube or button does not fit, place one size smaller or place catheter to maintain patency of tract until smaller tube or button is available (tract will close visibly in 12-24 hours); then gradually up-size.
Granulation tissue
  • Leakage.
  • Improper fit.
  • Instability of tube.
  • Treat leakage promptly.
  • Ensure proper tube fit and stabilize against skin.
  • Apply petroleum to surrounding normal skin, then apply silver nitrate to granulation tissue; may require multiple applications.
Leaking tube
  • Poor intragastric seal.
  • Poor transabdominal seal (tube passing through abdominal wall).
  • Check volume of water used to inflate balloon.
  • Add water to balloon (do not exceed maximum manufacturer's recommended volume).
  • Change leaking mushroom tip for a balloon tip catheter.
  • Ensure tube is perpendicular to abdominal wall.
  • May require up- or down-sizing the G-tube.
Tube occlusion
  • Build-up of residue from feed or medication.
  • Flush with water before/after each feed or medication (1-5 mL).
  • Try flushing with carbonated water.
Pain or discomfort at periostomal site
  • Incorrect insertion.
  • Infection.
  • Failure of fixation.
  • Leakage of gastric acid.
  • Check that external fixation disc is not too tight or loose.
  • Apply gentle traction to ensure correct position of internal anchoring device.
  • Send swab for culture and treat with appropriate topical or systemic antibiotics.
  • Consider analgesics.
  • Consider acid suppressant.
  • Protect skin from excoriation.
  • Check gastric residual volume before feeding.
Regurgitation, nausea or vomiting
  • Gastroparesis/gastric stasis.
  • Infusion rate too high.
  • Inappropriate patient positioning.
  • Constipation.
  • Adjust infusion rate.
  • Position child at 30-45° angle during feeding.
  • Alleviate constipation.
  • Consider prokinetic drugs.
  • Consider antiemetics.
Diarrhea
  • Antibiotic therapy.
  • Infusion rate/volume too high.
  • Gastroenteritis.
  • Low serum albumin.
  • Carbohydrate intolerance.
  • Malabsorption.
  • Dumping syndrome.
  • Ask caregiver to record output.
  • Review antibiotic therapy.
  • Obtain stool sample for culture.
  • Ask dietician to review feed and rate.
  • Consider reducing feeding volume or replacing losses with rehydration fluid.
  • Check stool for reducing substances.
  • Consider continuous feedings.
Constipation
  • Low residue feed.
  • Dehydration.
  • GI motility disorder.
  • Discuss with dietician feedings with fiber.
  • Consider laxatives.
  • Review total fluid intake.

Table adapted from Khair J, Br J Community Nurs 2003;8(3):116-126.

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Formula Feedings

We recommend breastfeeding for all infants when possible.  However, when breastfeeding is unavailable or undesired, the following formula recommendations apply.

Benefits
  • Premature transitional formulas have higher contents of protein, minerals, trace elements, and long-chain polyunsaturated fats, as well as providing higher caloric intake (e.g., 22kcal/oz), compared to term formula.
  • Increased energy density may be required to optimize growth in the presence of fluid restriction.
  • Soy formulas are not recommended for preterm infants due to an increased incidence of osteopenia and poorer protein bioavailability.
Recommendations
  • Infants with birth weight <1800g or poor growth history, fluid restriction, or abnormal laboratory indices may be discharged on premature transitional formula until 9 months corrected age.
  • Healthy, larger preterm infants may demonstrate catch-up growth more quickly and uncommonly require the use of transitional formula.
  • Former very low-birthweight infants should receive formula with arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
  • Preterm infants on iron fortified premature transitional formula should be given multivitamin (0.5 mL/day) until weight is >5 kg.
  • Preterm infants receiving an iron fortified term formula should be given multivitamin (0.5mL/day) until weight is >3 kg.
Growth Outcomes
  • Premature infants fed formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturated fats (ARA and DHA) have shown improved growth and psychomotor development.
  • Transitional formula may result in greater weight gain, linear growth, and bone mineralization than term infant formula.

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Growth

General Growth
  • Use growth charts made specifically for premature infants.
  • After infant reaches term corrected gestational age, a standard growth chart may be used.
  • Use corrected postmenstrual age until 2 years of age.
  • Interpretations of catch-up growth vary.  Catch-up growth usually occurs when an infant reaches between 5th to 10th percentile on growth chart.  This may not be the goal for all infants, especially those born IUGR or SGA (goal may be to simply follow their own curve below the standardized curves).
    • Catch-up growth minimizes the differences between term and preterm infant, usually by 12-18 months of age, but may continue for up to 5-7 years.
    • Most significant growth occurs between 36-40 weeks postmenstrual age.
    • Attainment of catch-up growth affected by birth weight, gestational age at birth, genetic potential, and continuing morbidity.
  • Premature infants who are IUGR or infants who are SGA demonstrate less catch-up growth and higher rates of poor growth.
  • Extremely low-birthweight infants commonly demonstrate growth that is close to or below the 5th percentile; if their growth runs parallel to the normal curve, however, this is usually a healthy growth pattern.
  • Otherwise healthy preterm infants first catch up in head circumference, then weight and length.
Weight
  • Weight gain of 20-30 g/day is desirable in preterm infants (>2 kg).
Length
  • Increases by approximately  1.1 cm/wk until term.
  • From term-3 months, 0.75 cm/wk.
  • From 3-6 months, 0.5 cm/wk.
Head Circumference
  • Head growth is approximately 0.5 cm/wk until 3 months of age.
  • From 3-6 months, slows to 0.25 cm/wk.
  • Infants with head growth >1.25 cm/wk should be evaluated for hydrocephalus.
Abnormal Growth
  • Infants whose growth curve plateaus or growth trajectory falls off, and those who lose weight after discharge or fall below the 5th percentile warrant further evaluation to assess energy intake.
  • Consider consultation with neonatal dietitian, gastroenterologist.
Growth rates of preterm infants through 18 months of age
Age (months) Weight (g/day) Length (cm/month) Head circumference (cm/month)

1

26–40

3–4.5

1.6–2.5

4

15–25

2.3–3.6

0.8–1.4

8

12–17

1–2

0.3–0.8

12

9–12

0.8–1.5

0.2–0.4

18

4–10

0.7–1.3

0.1–0.4

In Kelly (2006), adapted from Verma, Sridhar, and Spitzer (2003).

Fetal-Infant Growth Chart for Preterm Infants

A graph plots the growth of preterm infants by weight, length, and head circumference in terms of gestational age in weeks.

©2003 Fenton; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL.  http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/3/13

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Weaning

Description
  • The introduction of solid food feedings and the gradual replacement of milk by solid food as the main source of energy and nutrients.
  • Shared pleasure in eating and feeding enhances the relationship between infants and their caregivers.
  • Signs of readiness for solid foods:
    • Adequate head control.
    • Interest in feedings.
    • Decrease in tongue thrust.
    • Ability to sit with support at 60-90 degrees.
Considerations
  • Very low-birthweight infants are at risk for developing aversions to feeding.
    • May have more gagging when initiating solid feeding.
  • Water and juices should not be offered prior to 6 months of age.
  • Whole milk should be offered at ≥12 months of age.
  • Weight gain may be jeopardized by adding poor caloric solid foods in place of breast milk or formula.
  • Premature infants may feed more slowly due to weaker global tone, limited energy, and a lack of fully coordinated suck and swallow reflexes and oromotor tone.
Recommendations
  • AAP recommends solid foods be introduced at 4-6 months corrected age.
  • Use preterm formula milk to liquefy dried cereal foods until 9 months corrected age.
  • Introduce rice cereal first, then vegetables or fruits.
  • Introduce single-ingredient baby foods one at a time, and continue for 5-7 days before introducing an additional new food.

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Publication:
12(14)-0054-EF

Page last reviewed December 2013
Page originally created December 2013

Internet Citation: Appendix B. Clinical Materials to Share With Primary Care Providers (continued). Content last reviewed December 2013. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/resource/nicu/packet/apb2.html

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