Hi all,

I'm very interested in the role rectal manipulations like rectal thermometry and the use of rectal tubes play in the development of constipation and NEC in the preterm infant.

Would you like to share your protocols/guidelines/experiences with me? Do you use rectal thermometers in daily care? Do you use rectal tubes in daily care for air/stool relieve in (extreme) preterm infants? Do you experience constipation in the preterms?

Thank you for sharing!

 

nice question

we do practice rectal stimulation by feeding tube or sometimes glycerine suppositories or rectal wash out by NS 

 

We also practise some manipulation in preterm infants but only if otherwise well (preterm infants with functional GI problems) - if we suspect NEC, manipulation is a no-no.

This practise is usually not a doctor's decision, usually nursing staff decide to do this if they believe it helps.

Thank you all for your answers! In our unit this is a nursing decision as well. I feel like we use manipulation a lot and wonder about the implications on short and long term.
What temperature method do you use as standard of care?

We measure axillary temps (most often parents do it  )

We use gastral tubes with 5ml/KG NaCl0,9% rectally in the second day of life if a premie (《1500g) to stimulate mekonium release (because changings of enteral feeding regimes depending on mek rel). With this procedere we stimulate bowelmovment. It works most everytime. We don't wait for problems. I believe most Effect depends to the distending fluid

As long as premies stay in incubator temp  is measured  with rectal probe. Later with Thermometer (without plastic  wrap). We do no Stimulation. 

For Colic gas seldom we use small airwaytube 3 cm inserted for 30 min.