Oral feeding practices in medically complex infants receiving prolonged high-flow nasal cannula support: A retrospective cohort study

To characterise the feeding profile and care pathway for infants receiving prolonged high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) respiratory support for management of a chronic condition at one facility from January to December 2021. Data regarding medical history, HFNC admission details (reason for HFNC, HFNC duration, flow rate), feeding outcomes and speech pathology care were collected from electronic records of HFNC-dependent infants (requiring HFNC ≥2-3 L/kg for ≥5 consecutive days). Infants with acute respiratory conditions (e.g. bronchiolitis) were excluded. This study included 24 participants (median corrected age at admission 5.3 weeks, range -6 to 18.6). Of these, 15 (60%) had a condition/s that affected more than one body system (e.g. congenital diaphragmatic hernia), requiring the care of multiple specialities. Median length of HFNC use was 37.5 days (range 11-188). Twenty (83.3%) infants were referred for speech pathology (SLP) input while on HFNC support. For those referred, frequency of SLP input was variable (0-3 sessions/week), and HFNC support requirements were the most common barrier to SLP intervention (n = 9, 45%). Twelve (54.5%) infants demonstrated improvement in their primary feeding method by discharge; however, only two (9.1%) infants were discharged on full oral feeds. This study demonstrates variability in oral feeding management in infants with prolonged HFNC-dependence at our centre. Respiratory support with HFNC was identified as a barrier to progressing oral feeding. Further research is required to determine if oral feeding can be safely undertaken in this cohort. This is imperative to ensure that long-term feeding outcomes are not negatively impacted by current practice.