Gastric Feeding Versus Transpyloric Feeding in Infants with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, a Crossover Study

Launched by LE BONHEUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · Feb 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different ways of feeding infants who have a serious lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and are having trouble feeding. The researchers want to find out whether feeding directly into the stomach (gastric feeding) or feeding through a special tube that goes past the stomach into the small intestine (transpyloric feeding) works better for these infants. During the study, infants will receive one type of feeding for two weeks, then switch to the other type for another four weeks. Their breathing and overall health will be closely monitored to see which feeding method is best for each baby.

To be a part of this trial, infants must be born before 32 weeks of pregnancy and currently be in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Le Bonheur. They should also have moderate or severe BPD and show signs of feeding problems. However, infants with certain gastrointestinal issues or those expected to have surgery soon will not be eligible. Parents can expect their child to be carefully looked after during the study, with regular checks on their breathing and feeding tolerance. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it's an important step towards improving care for infants with these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients born \<32 weeks' gestation
• • Currently admitted to the Le Bonheur NICU
• • Grad 2 or 3 BPD (positive pressure or intubated at 36 weeks PMA)
• • Signs of gastroesophageal reflux, chronic aspiration, or other feeding intolerance.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Known gastrointestinal anomalies
• • Unable to tolerate ≥100mL/kg/day enteral feeding
• • Congenital anomalies likely to alter feeding techniques
• • Surgical feeding tube in place or expected within the next 8 weeks
• • Expected to remain hospitalized \<8 weeks