Remote Patient Monitoring Enables Earlier, Safer NICU Discharge for Infants Requiring Nasogastric Tube Feeding
Evidence & Study Overview
Investigators at Cincinnati Children’s led by Rebecca D. Henkel, MD, and colleagues, conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating outcomes among infants discharged from the NICU with NGT feeding, with and without RPM support.
The study included 385 infants discharged between 2015 and 2022:
- Pre‑RPM cohort: 139 infants
- RPM cohort: 246 infants
Despite higher rates of prematurity in the RPM group, these infants were discharged at a younger postmenstrual age than those without RPM (43.0 vs. 44.1 weeks; P = .01).
This work reflects collaboration across Cincinnati Children’s NICU, NICU Follow-Up Clinic, and Remote Patient Monitoring programs, highlighting institutional expertise in technology‑enabled care transitions for medically complex infants.
Key Outcomes
Analyses were adjusted for clinical and demographic differences between RPM and pre-RPM groups.
Growth
- Improved weight gain trajectories among RPM-supported infants compared to those without RPM:
- +0.21 weight z-score at 3 months
- +0.34 weight z-score at 6 months
Unplanned Healthcare Utilization
- 53% lower risk of unplanned hospital admission or emergency department visit
- Risk ratio: 0.47 (95% CI, 0.28–0.79)
Clinical Relevance for Referring and Inpatient Teams
- Supports earlier discharge readiness while maintaining post-discharge safety
- Demonstrates sustained growth benefits through 6‑month follow-up
- Reduces readmissions and ED utilization, with implications for care quality and family burden
- Is relevant to discharge planning, follow‑up workflows and shared decision‑making
Implications for Practice
For NICU graduates requiring NGT feeding, combining home enteral nutrition with RPM, as implemented at Cincinnati Children’s, may strengthen transitions from NICU to home by preserving clinical oversight while enabling earlier discharge.
Learn More / Refer
To discuss RPM-supported discharge pathways or referral considerations, connect with Cincinnati Children’s Perinatal Institute and Neonatology experts.
Reference
Henkel RD, et al. Journal of Pediatrics. 2025;114802.
PMID: 40945579 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114802
(Published May 2026)
