Accidental Ingestion of a NEO-fit Device Component by a Neonate

Endotracheal tube securement devices are used to reduce the incidence of unplanned extubation of intubated patients. We describe the ingestion of part of an endotracheal tube securement device by a neonate to bring awareness of the risk of ingestion or aspiration of endotracheal tube securement device components in this population. A 13-day-old, former 31-week gestational age female infant was noted on routine radiologic evaluation to have a foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. The foreign body was thought to be an artifact or an object overlying the radiologic image. However, review of previous imaging showed the object initially in the posterior pharynx with progressive migration into the gastrointestinal tract. The patient did not have any clinical features of gastrointestinal obstruction and had been tolerating enteral feeds. The infant's endotracheal tube securement had been changed from a NEO-fit device (CooperSurgical, Inc.) to a NeoBar device (Neotech Products) on day of life 5. The diagnosis of the foreign body was made 8 days later. The infant was followed with serial imaging per pediatric surgery recommendations. The foreign body was spontaneously passed via the rectum several days later without incident. Pathology identified the foreign body as a piece of the NEO-fit device. Awareness of the possibility of ingestion or aspiration from this endotracheal tube securement device is important for patient safety.