Oral feeding outcomes in infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore oral feeding outcomes in infants born with type-C esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF).

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all infants born between January 2005 and December 2015 undergoing surgery for type-C EA/TEF at the University of Alberta Hospital was performed.

RESULTS: Fifty-seven infants were identified, of which 61.4% were exclusively orally feeding at discharge home. Variables anticipated to predict oral feeding were explored. Only 46% of babies with a structural cardiac anomaly had exclusive oral feeding compared to 79% without cardiac anomaly, p=0.055. Logistic regression identified the presence of structural cardiac anomaly and corrected gestational age at discharge as significant negative predictor variables for exclusive oral feeding at discharge home. Additional regression analyses found early transanastomotic feeding to be a significant positive predictor for the discontinuation of PN.

CONCLUSION: We report the rate of oral feeding at discharge for infants born with type-C EA/TEF and identify predictor variables. This information is important for health care professionals and the families of children born with EA/TEF, because a significant number will go home with supplemental nutrition by gavage tube or other routes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.