Hammersmith Hospital

SUMMARY Nasal resistance (Rn) and total airways resistance (RAW) during nose breathing were measured in two groups of preterm infants. One group had been fed by nasogastric tube during the neonatal period, while the other had received only orogastric or bottle feeds. There were no significant differences in either Rn or RAW between the two groups, which suggests that for these infants a history of nasogastric tube feeding had no adverse effect on subsequent respiratory function. The acute effects of the nasogastric tube (NGT) were assessed by measuring Rn and RAw with and without the NGT in situ. A significant increase in both Rn and RAW occurred when the NGT was in situ, particularly in white infants, and when the NGT was passed through the larger of the two nostrils. Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is commonly used for preterm infants although little is known about either the acute or long-term effect this may have on nasal resistance (Rn). Previous work has shown that approximately half the total airways resistance (RAW) in white infants is due to the resistance of the nasal passages. ' Consequently, as most neonates are obligatory nose breathers, any form of nasal obstruction could have significant effects on the overall function of the respiratory system. This study was carried out to determine whether NGT feeding had any adverse effect on subsequent Rn or RAW, and to measure the effect on airflow resistance of an NGT in situ