# Optimal Feeding Tube Dwell Time in VLBW to Reduce Feeding Tube Contamination

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $594,788

## Abstract

Because premature VLBW infants are too immature to orally feed, they require a feeding tube for weeks to
months to meet their nutritional needs. These feeding tubes are a reservoir for pathogenic and antibiotic
resistant bacteria and may increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, late onset sepsis and feeding
intolerance and are thus a risk to neonatal health. In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), guidelines
regarding feeding tube dwell time are non-existent and feeding tubes are often not replaced for weeks
following insertion. As with other external devices, such as central venous lines and urinary catheters, the risk
of bacterial contamination increases the longer the device remains in place. Contaminated feeding tubes in
premature VLBW infants can cause gastrointestinal (GI) microbial dysbiosis and inflammation, thereby
increasing the risk of complications including necrotizing enterocolitis, late onset sepsis and feeding
intolerance. The optimal feeding tube dwell time to decrease feeding tube contamination and the extent to
which contamination causes GI microbial dysbiosis and inflammation and subsequent risk to neonatal health is
unknown. The overall objective of this 4-year study is to determine if a maximum feeding tube dwell time of 48
hours reduces contamination compared to a maximum feeding tube dwell time of 7 days (current practice),
thereby improving neonatal health outcomes. The proposed study will follow a prospective cohort (N = 120) of
racially and economically diverse premature VLBW infants for 4 weeks following birth. Infants will be
randomized into 1 of 2 groups. Feeding tubes will be changed every 0-48 hours (Group 1) and every 7 days
(standard practice) (Group 2). Aim 1. will determine the effect of feeding tube dwell time on feeding tube hub,
feeding tube, and intraluminal fluid contamination, bacterial pathogenicity, and biofilm formation in premature
VLBW infants. For Aim 2, the effect of feeding tube dwell time on GI microbial dysbiosis and inflammation
between Group 1 and Group 2 will be compared. In Aim 3, the effect of feeding tube dwell time, feeding tube
contamination and biofilm formation on selected health outcomes will be determined. Results are expected to
fill an important gap in research regarding feeding tube dwell time in premature VLBW infants, whether dwell
time increases the risk of GI microbial dysbiosis and inflammation and whether feeding tube dwell time
influences health outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9940779
- **Project number:** 5R01NR016964-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Leslie A Parker
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $594,788
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-03 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9940779

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9940779, Optimal Feeding Tube Dwell Time in VLBW to Reduce Feeding Tube Contamination (5R01NR016964-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9940779. Licensed CC0.

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