Breastfeeding Infants Receiving Respiratory Support Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Safety and quality of breastfeeding for infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or humidified high flow nasal canula (HHFNC)
IRAS ID
153771
Contact name
Alexander Rakow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Newborn babies whether born too early (preterm) or at term often need respiratory support. The usage of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) is common in neonatal care and represent non-invasive methods of respiratory support.
Data from animal models suggests that nCPAP can affect swallowing behaviour and or coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing; but the magnitude and clinical significance is unclear even in animals. Studies in adults are also lacking although some have shown that swallowing can be impaired during nCPAP therapy. In most places expert consensus has been that feeding should be delayed until respiratory support (including nCPAP or HHFNC) is no longer needed. In our unit it has been common practice for decades to allow infants to breast feed despite receiving treatment with either nCPAP or HHFNC. This has not been associated with adverse events.
In the present study we intend to test the hypothesis that breastfeeding babies during treatment with nCPAP or HHFNC is safe. Secondly, as part of a feasibility study, we will investigate whether breastfeeding babies while treated with nCPAP or HHFNC leads to faster establishment of oral feeding and potentially earlier discharge from hospital. Thirdly we want to assess parental perception of feeding babies receiving respiratory support and the effect it has on bonding.
Finally we wish to compare the two respiratory support devices and evaluate whether they have different effects on safety and/or efficiency of simultaneous breastfeeding for babies.
The study will be an observational study where we aim to recruit 50 infants ( 25 infants treated with nCPAP and 25 infants treated with HHFNC while breastfeeding). They will be monitored before, during and after breastfeeding episodes to see if breastfeeding causes any deterioration. Each child will have an average of 4 to 6 observations.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
16/WS/0142
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion