Dilemmas Surrounding Interpretation of Gastric Residuals in the NICU Setting. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaminski, Mary M.; Clancy, Karen L.; Steward, Deborah K.
• Is Part Of: Infant, child & adolescent nutrition. Volume 6:Number 5(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 286
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: preterm infant -- enteral nutrition -- gastric residual -- feeding intolerance -- necrotizing enterocolitis; Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2083
• DOI: 10.1177/1941406414539005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1941-4064

Abstract

Providing enteral nutrition to preterm infants is a challenge because of the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinicians often take a cautious approach to advancing enteral feedings because of concerns related to development of feeding intolerance or necrotizing enterocolitis. Gastric residuals provide a mechanism for monitoring feeding tolerance since they are easy to obtain and quantify. Despite the common practice of monitoring gastric residuals, there is a lack of agreement in determining when an obtained gastric residual becomes clinically significant. Furthermore, numerous factors can affect the characteristics of the gastric residual. A review of the literature demonstrates significant variability in defining a clinically significant gastric residual. Importantly, there is a lack of available evidence to support selected parameters. Recommendations for practice are discussed.