The relationship between orogastric tube usage in neonatal intensive care unit and rate of gastro-esophagial reflux disease in hemodynamically stable newborns

Objective: Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is defined as the flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. GER is frequently short-lasting and without any complications. The objective of this study is to investigate the frequency of GERD in infants with orogastric tube placement in a neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Method: A 35 question survey was used between January 2021 and December 2022 at Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to assess reflux symptoms in 50 patients who are 1 month old- 1 year old, who were born between 34-41 gestation week, and had a history of orogastric tube feeding. Results: %2 of participants in the orogastric (OG) group and %12 of participants in the control group were found to have reflux symptoms in this study. Frequency of reflux symptoms was found to be %9,3 (n=5) in infants 6 months and under and it was %4,3 (n=2) for infants over 6 months of age. Our study found the frequency of reflux symptoms as %7,3 (n=3) in females, and %6,8 (n=4) in males with a F/M ratio of 1,07/1. The frequency of reflux in infants born prematurely was % 4,54 (n=1), and the frequency of reflux in infants born term was %7,69 (n=6). The group with the highest frequency of reflux was the group with a birth week of 37 weeks - 38 weeks and 6 days, and statistically a significant difference was detected compared to the other groups. Reflux was not detected in patients with a history of vaginal birth, but reflux was detected in 10.3% of patients born with cesarean section. The most common symptom in all infants surveyed was found to be vomiting or regurgitation occurring 1-3 times a day. When the OG group was evaluated compared to all infants, it was determined that more than 3 vomiting and regurgitations were observed in a day. When grouped according to age, vomiting and regurgitation were found to be more common in children under 6 months, and a statistically significant difference was found. Conclusion: This 35-question survey study found lower reflux scores in the orogastric tube history group compared to the control group. It was thought that the reason why reflux was less common in infants in the OG group was that parents who would care for the babies in the NICU were given nutrition education, they were taught how to pass gas, and families resorted to more frequent check-ups. It was determined that vomiting and regurgitation were more common under 6 months.