Abstract
ObjectiveDespite little evidence, the practice of routine gastric residual volume (GRV) measurement to guide enteral feeding in neonatal units is widespread. Due to increased interest in this practice, and to...
Highlights
The gastric residual volume (GRV) is the volume of the entire stomach contents, obtained by aspiration with a syringe in order to assess feeding tolerance
The rationale for routinely measuring GRV in the neonatal setting is for the early identification of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and prevention of complications such as vomiting or aspiration, by withholding or reducing feed volumes.[1 7 8]
Ninety-five of 184 (51.6%) neonatal units in the UK excluding Northern Ireland completed the survey. These consisted of 40 neonatal intensive care units (NICU), 42 local neonatal units (LNU) and 13 special care baby units (SCBU) giving response rates of 71.4%, 47.2% and 33.3% of the NICUs, LNUs and SCBUs, respectively
Summary
The gastric residual volume (GRV) is the volume of the entire stomach contents, obtained by aspiration with a syringe in order to assess feeding tolerance. The practice is increasingly being questioned in neonatal units.[1,2,3,4,5] For many clinicians, this parameter is a fundamental part of the definition and diagnosis of feed intolerance.[6] The rationale for routinely measuring GRV in the neonatal setting is for the early identification of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and prevention of complications such as vomiting or aspiration, by withholding or reducing feed volumes.[1 7 8] Routine measurement could, cause harm, for example, through direct injury of the gastric mucosa, discarding gastric juices, medications and hormones, and by delaying enteral feeding and prolonging parenteral nutrition.[4 9 10] measurement of GRV has been shown to be inaccurate and affected by the position of the baby and the Dorling J, et al BMJ Paediatrics Open 2020;4:e000601.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
