Improved radiological assessment of neonatal feeding tubes

BACKGROUND: In about one-fifth of radiographs performed in neonates, no exact gastric feeding tube position can be defined. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether injection of air via feeding tube before taking radiographs improves radiological assessment of its position. METHODS: In the study group (n=153), air was injected via gastric feeding tube before taking a radiograph. The tube position on radiographs was compared with a blinded control group (n=381) with no injection of air. RESULTS: The definition of exact gastric tube position was possible in 95% of the study group compared with 78% in the control group (p