Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2024;24:eSOBEP202460.
Use of ultrasound to confirm enteral tube placement in newborns: a scoping review
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793202460i
Abstract
Objective
to analyse the available evidence on the use of ultrasound in order to confirm the positioning of enteral tubes in newborns.
Methods
a scoping review was conducted, and the research question was formulated using the PCC strategy of Question, Concept and Context. The inclusion criteria were as follows: articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish which responded to the research objectives and for which the full text was available. Descriptors employed: The following subjects are to be covered: enteral nutrition, gastric probes, newborns, interventional ultrasound, and neonates. The study’s variables encompassed the following: the title of the article, the year of publication, the country of publication, the database, the journal title, the objective of the study, the method employed, the results obtained, the conclusion drawn, and the degree of evidence supporting the study. The study was registered in the Open Science Framework.
Results
a total of eight studies, published between 1993 and 2024, were subjected to analysis. The results were presented in three categories: firstly, nurse competence in the use of ultrasound; secondly, the sensitivity of ultrasound in confirming probe positioning; and thirdly, the implementation of bedside ultrasound.
Conclusion
the ultrasound system exhibited high reliability and accuracy, irrespective of the operator’s level of expertise. The study also concluded that the utilisation of ultrasound technology resulted in a reduction in radiation exposure. The integration of this technology into standard clinical care offers the prospect of enhancing neonatal care by facilitating expeditious clinical decision-making, mitigating complications, and ensuring enhanced patient safety.
Keywords: Enteral nutrition; Nasogastric tube; Neonatal nursing; Newborn; Ultrasonography
