Standardized Management of Infant Reflux Symptoms in the NICU

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux is very common among infants admitted to the NICU. However, many hospitals do not have standardized management reflux symptoms. The lack of standardization may delay an infant’s discharge, decrease family satisfaction, and increase the financial burden. PICOT: In full-term infants in the NICU, does a thickened formula compared to a non-thickened formula reduce reflux symptoms during their acute care stay? Synthesis: Anti-reflux formula improved regurgitation and most GI symptoms within 1 week of the intervention. Plan for Change: Using the Iowa Model, NICU RNs will implement a plan for full-term infants > 36 weeks of age with clinical symptoms of reflux. The infant’s response to symptoms will be assessed every day x 5 with the GERD Symptom Questionnaire and the number of regurgitate. Episodes including the amount (ml) of regurgitation, and clinician/family report will be tracked. The management of reflux symptoms among infants within the NICU should be based on an evidence-based, standardized feeding protocol of anti-regurgitation formula.