Optimizing Gastrostomy Tube Placement in a Rural Infant Population

¹University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico

²Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

³Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

⁴Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Corresponding author: Jessie Maxwell, MD, MBA, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of New Mexico, MSC10 5590; 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States, Phone: 505-272-0366, Fax: (505) 272-9643, Email: [email protected]

Received Date: January 08, 2026

Publication Date: February 07, 2026

Citation: Oxford MJ, et al. (2026). Optimizing Gastrostomy Tube Placement in a Rural Infant Population. Neonatal. 7(1):28.

Copyright: Oxford MJ, et al. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Feeding gastrostomy placement is a common surgical procedure in neonates. Predicting which infants require only short-term supported feedings could reduce the number of surgical gastrostomy tubes being placed and allow for the use of home nasogastric feedings. A home nasogastric feeding program in our rural population would require focusing on safety concerns. Aim: This study aims to better characterize infants requiring gastrostomy tube placement. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed from January 1, 2018, through January 1, 2021, for infants in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit requiring gastrostomy tube placement before 12 months of age. Data on the feeding status at 2- and 6-months post-gastrostomy tube placement, the time to removal of gastrostomy tube, gastrostomy tube related complications, and other factors that might predict early removal of gastrostomy tube were collected. Results: Among the 104 infants included in the study, the mean time to reach full oral feeding volumes after gastrostomy tube placement was 18 months. Seven infants (6.7%) achieved full oral feeding volumes within 2 months, and 26 infants (25%) did so within 6 months. Conclusions: Given that the number of gastrostomy tubes used for less than 2 months was not significant, we do not recommend establishing a home nasogastric (NG) feeding protocol or program within our rural patient population.

Keywords: Gastrostomy Tubes, Rural Healthcare, Infants