Tributyrin ester-impregnated pH strips for confirming neonatal feeding tube placement: a diagnostic test accuracy study

Nasogastric (NGT) or orogastric (OGT) tubes are the primary mode of feeding in term born sick infants and preterm infants during the postnatal period. Incorrect tube placement in the respiratory tract can lead to life-threatening aspiration. Following the UK National Patient Safety Agency1 and American Society for parenteral and enteral nutrition (ASPEN)2 guidance, current best practice relies on a pH ≤5.5 of the gastric aspirate to confirm gastric placement and requires a chest radiograph if pH is >5.5. A new pH strip augmented with human gastric lipase (HGL) detection has been developed to improve the sensitivity of gastric tube pH testing (Ingenza, UK) by impregnating standard pH test strips (GBUK Enteral) with 1% tributyrin. In the presence of HGL, produced only in stomach, tributyrin ester is hydrolysed to release butyric acid. If gastric aspirate pH is >5.5, the presence of HGL will help reduce pH...

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition - June 19, 2023 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Banerjee, J., McLister, A., Gourin, B., McClure, Z., Mariampillai, K., Boyle, R. J., Hanna, G. B., Ni, M. Z. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research