Feeding difficulties in neonates following cardiac surgery: determinants of prolonged feeding-tube use.

Unlabelled: Aim The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence and potential correlates of feeding difficulties in infants who underwent cardiac surgery in the neonatal period and to investigate resource utilisation by infants with feeding difficulties.

Methods: All neonates who underwent their first cardiac surgery at the Heart Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, between January and December, 2009 were included. Demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected via electronic medical records.