A Feasibility Study of no routine Gastric residual volume measurement in mechanically ventilated Infants and Children: the GASTRIC study

Children in intensive care units (PICUs) receive on average less than half of the energy (from feeds) that they need. One reason for this may be historical practices such as the routine measurement of gastric residual volume (GRV) to guide feeding. This feasibility study will determine if it is feasible to conduct a UK wide randomised trial of not measuring GRV in UK PICUs and neonatal units (NNUs). The research was Government funded (NIHR HTA) study to benefit children on intensive care units. The research invloved consisted of a survey of practice, qualitative work with parents and PICU and NNU staff, a Delphi study to gain consensus on trial outcomes, an analysis of the national datasets and a face to face consensus meeting.

We found it was feasible to conduct two separate trials in the UK of not measuring GRV routinely, one in PICUs and one in NNUs. We also developed an associated education and training package required to address staff concerns and a clear parent information sheet with input from parents. This study has demonstrated that a RCT is feasible to conduct and this will be the next step.

Funder: NIHR HTA £343,123.82

Team: Lyvonne N Tume (Chief Investigator) Kerry Woolfall, Barbara Arch, Louise Roper, Elizabeth Deja, Ashley P Jones, Lynne Latten, Nazima Pathan^, Helen Eccleson,Helen Hickey, Roger Parslow, Jennifer Preston, Anne Beissel, Izabela Andrzejewska,Chris Gale, Frederic V Valla, Jon Dorling