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Elsayed Ramadan OM, Alruwaili MM, Alruwaili AN, Elsharkawy NB, Abdelaziz EM, Zaky ME, Shaban MM, Shaban M. Nursing practice of routine gastric aspiration in preterm infants and its link to necrotizing enterocolitis: is the practice still clinically relevant? BMC Nurs 2024; 23:333. [PMID: 38760751 PMCID: PMC11100149 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The practice of routine gastric residual aspiration in preterm infants remains controversial, with conflicting evidence regarding its impact on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). As front-line caregivers, nurses play a vital role in gastric aspiration procedures and must be informed by evidence. This quasi-experimental nursing study aimed to assess whether gastric aspiration is clinically relevant in reducing the risk of NEC in preterm infants.A total of 250 preterm infants from two NICUs in Egypt were allocated to the gastric aspiration (n = 125) and non-aspiration (n = 125) groups. Feeding practices, gastric residuals, and incidence/severity of NEC were compared between groups according to modified Bell's criteria. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariate regression. There were no significant baseline differences between the groups. The gastric residual attributes and feeding outcomes did not differ substantially from aspiration. The overall incidence of NEC was 14-15%, with no significant differences in the odds of onset or progression of NEC by stage between the groups. Lower gestational age and birth weight emerged as stronger predictors of NEC. Routine gastric aspiration does not appear to directly prevent or reduce the severity of NEC in this population. Although gastric residuals retain clinical importance, study findings question assumptions that aspiration protects against NEC and informs nursing practice. Evidence-based feeding protocols must continually evolve through ongoing research on modifiable risk factors for this devastating intestinal disease in preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nadia Bassuoni Elsharkawy
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, 72388
- Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Enas Mahrous Abdelaziz
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, 72388
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Elsayed Zaky
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, 72388
- Medical Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Mamdouh Shaban
- Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mostafa Shaban
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, 72388
- Geriatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Purohit G, Mehkarkar P, Athalye-Jape G, Nathan E, Patole S. Association of gastric residual volumes with necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants-a case-control study. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:253-260. [PMID: 34272983 PMCID: PMC8285712 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-04193-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a potentially serious illness with significant mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Previous studies have reported association of volume and colour (bile and blood stained) of gastric residuals (GR) with NEC. We aimed to study this association in our cohort of extremely preterm (EP) infants. In a case-control study using retrospective data (January 2006-December 2011), EP (gestation < 28 weeks) infants with confirmed NEC ≥ stage II (cases) were compared with infants without NEC (controls) matched for birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA). Forty cases of NEC ≥ stage II diagnosed at a median (IQR) age of 16.5 days (10.3-23) were compared with 40 controls matched for gestation (± 3 days) and birth weight (± 680 g). Median maximum GR volume (GRV) from birth to the day of occurrence of NEC was significantly higher in cases vs. controls (5.9 vs.3.7 ml; p < 0.001). Increased maximum GRV was associated with NEC ≥ Stage II in adjusted analysis (aOR 1.36, 95%CI 1.06-1.75, p = 0.017). There was no significant difference in GRV between cases and controls throughout the clinical course, including 72, 48 and 24 h before the onset of NEC. However, green (65.0% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.001) and haemorrhagic GRs (45.0% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.092) were higher 24 h before the diagnosis of NEC.Conclusion: GRV was not associated with NEC ≥ stage II. However, green and haemorrhagic GRs were significantly higher 24 h before the diagnosis of the illness. Adequately powered prospective studies are needed to confirm the significance of our findings. What is Known: •It is unclear whether large volume, dark-coloured and blood-stained GRs are associated with NEC. •The value of routine monitoring of gastric residuals in preterm infants is currently being questioned. What is New: •Volume of gastric residuals was not associated with significant NEC. •Green and haemorrhagic GRs were significantly higher 24 hours before diagnosis of NEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan Purohit
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, WA Australia
| | - Puja Mehkarkar
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, WA Australia
| | - Gayatri Athalye-Jape
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, WA Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Nathan
- Department of Biostatistics, Women and Infants Research Foundation, KEM Hospital for Women, Perth, Australia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Sanjay Patole
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, WA Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Williams L. Gastric Residual Volume Measurement: Necessary for Safe Practice? AACN Adv Crit Care 2021; 32:110-112. [PMID: 33725105 DOI: 10.4037/aacnacc2021663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lori Williams
- Lori Williams is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Universal Care Unit and Float Team, American Family Children's Hospital, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, 1675 Highland Avenue, Room 7404, Madison, WI 53792
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