Table 1

Specified criteria for inclusion of studies

Studies:Randomised or quasi-randomised (for example, alternate allocation, or allocation by date of birth or day of year) controlled trials.
Participants:Preterm infants (less than 37 weeks gestation) who needed enteral tube feeding, cared for in a hospital setting.
Interventions:Transpyloric versus gastric tube feeding with catheters passed through the nose or mouth. Trials of gastrostomy, duodenostomy, or jejunostomy feeding were not included.
Outcomes:

  1. Growth, development, and feeding

    1. Short term (before discharge from hospital) growth parameters

    2. Longer term (after discharge from hospital) growth parameters

    3. Neurodevelopmental outcomes during infancy and beyond using validated assessment tools

    4. Time from birth to establish full oral feeds

    5. Time from birth to establish full enteral tube feeds

  2. Adverse events

    1. Death before discharge from hospital

    2. Gastrointestinal disturbance such as diarrhoea or feeding intolerance that results in cessation of enteral feeding

    3. Necrotising enterocolitis

    4. Aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitis: clinical and/or radiological evidence of lower respiratory tract compromise attributed to covert or evident aspiration of gastric contents

    5. Intestinal perforation

    6. Pyloric stenosis requiring surgical intervention

    7. Chronic lung disease: additional oxygen requirement at 36 weeks post-conception