The impact of different medical complications on the feasibility of removing the feeding tube from infants with dysphagia.

PURPOSE: This study examined whether certain medical complications influence the feasibility of tube removal.

METHODS

42 subjects with dysphagia who were under the age of 2.5 years were nourished entirely through feeding tubes. Additionally, they were judged to have no aspiration. The following data about the infants were collected through a retroactive survey: age at which oral feeding training commenced, gender, and whether certain medical complications (cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, neurological, or oral) had been present at birth. The data were analyzed to determine which type of medical complication affected the likelihood of removing the feeding tube from the infant at 3 years of age.

RESULTS

Of the five medical complications examined, cardiovascular complications significantly affected the feasibility of tube removal (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Pediatric dysphagia patients with cardiac complications, compared to those with other complications, may take longer to transition off tube feeding.