Biofilm formation on nasogastric feeding tubes used by neonates
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical and laboratory-based approaches to investigating the development of biofilms on the inner surface of nasogastric tubes in neonates: association with morbidity and mortality
IRAS ID
200714
Contact name
Christopher Winnard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
Babies cared for on a neonatal unit are often fed through a nasogastric tube (NGT) as they are unable to swallow well. An NGT is a small tube that passes from the nose to the stomach. Small babies often have an underdeveloped immune system making them prone to infection. It has been shown that potentially harmful bacteria can grow on NGT. These bacteria can form mini complex communities called "biofilms". These biofilms are concerning because antibiotics have less effect on them than on individual bacteria.
NGTs end in the stomach and so they provide a direct route into the digestive system for any potentially harmful bacteria communities that grow on the NGTs. Babies who are fed through an NGT have been shown to have different types of stomach bacteria compared to other babies suggesting that NGTs can introduce different bacteria to the digestive system. This has the potential to affect the babies’ health.
This study aims to investigate which type of bacteria and the amount of biofilm that can be found on the inside of the NGT using laboratory techniques.
Up to 170 NGTs that have been removed from neonates as part of their usual care will be saved by the nursing staff on the ward and then collected by a researcher for investigation in a laboratory at the University of Southampton. NGTs will not be removed specifically for the study. When the NGTs are removed the clinical care team will collect anonymous information from the babies’ hospital notes such as age, feed type and length of time of use. This will allow us to investigate whether there are any particular factors which are associated with the type of bacteria and amount of biofilm formed. The NGTs will be collected from one neonatal unit at one hospital.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
17/ES/0142
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion