Risk Factors for Tube Feeding at Discharge in Infants Undergoing Neonatal Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review.

Approximately 30-50% of infants undergoing neonatal surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) cannot meet oral feeding goals by discharge and require feeding tube support at home. Feeding tubes are associated with increased readmission rates and consequent hospital, payer, and family costs, and are a burden for family caregivers. Identification of modifiable risk factors for oral feeding problems could support targeted care for at-risk infants.

The Impact of Human Milk on Outcomes for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review.

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for feeding-related morbidity and mortality, with growth failure and oral feeding problems associated with poor outcomes. The benefits of human milk (HM) for preterm infants have been well documented, but evidence on HM for infants with CHD has recently begun to emerge. Our primary aim was to examine the impact of HM feeding on outcomes for infants with CHD.

Feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease: a modified Delphi survey to examine potential research and practice gaps.

Objective: To determine clinical consensus and non-consensus in regard to evidence-based statements about feeding infants with complex CHD, with a focus on human milk. Areas of non-consensus may indicate discrepancies between research findings and practice, with consequent variation in feeding management.

Materials And Methods: A modified Delphi survey validated key feeding topics (round 1), and determined consensus on evidence-based statements (rounds 2 and 3).