FDA: Potential risk of strangulation in children who use enteral feeding delivery sets

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning healthcare providers, parents and caregivers of pediatric patients (children) who receive enteral feeding that there is a risk of strangulation from the use of enteral feeding delivery sets. The feeding set tubing can become wrapped around a child’s neck and cause strangulation or death. The FDA has received reports of two toddlers who died after being strangled by the tubing. 

Recommendations for parents and caregivers of children who use enteral feeding delivery sets:

• Be aware that the feeding set tubing can get wrapped around a child’s neck, which can lead to strangulation or death. 
• To the extent possible, avoid leaving the feeding set tubing where infants or children can become entangled.
• Discuss with your child's health care provider:
• If your child has been tangled in their tubing before.
• Steps you can take to help ensure that tubing does not get wrapped around your child’s neck, such as keeping the tubing away from the child as much as possible.
• Any other concerns you may have about the risk of strangulation from feeding set tubing. 
• If your child is injured by feeding set tubing, please report the event to the FDA. Your report, along with information from other sources, can provide information that helps improve patient safety.

Recommendations for healthcare providers:

• Review this topic and the information noted above with your colleagues, care teams, and caregivers of pediatric patients who use enteral feeding delivery sets, to ensure they are aware of the potential risk of strangulation with the associated tubing and are taking appropriate measures to keep the tubing away from the child as much as possible.
• When caring for pediatric patients who receive enteral feeding and as part of an individual risk assessment, be aware of the risk of strangulation from the feeding set tubing and follow protocols to monitor medical line safety.
• If a patient experiences an adverse event related to enteral feeding set tubing, you are encouraged to report the event to the FDA. Prompt reporting of adverse events can help the FDA identify and better understand the risks associated with medical devices.

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Source: FDA, 8 February 2022