A Study of Postoperative Complications Occurring at Home With Pediatric Gastrostomy Feeding Tubes. Issue 1 (28th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aedla, Mihika; Zhou, Anson; Sompel, Kevin; Hu, Katherine; Cheng, Charlotte; Hsu, Jocelyn; Qian, Jason; Zhang, Siya; Ho, Anthony; Slagle, Jacob; Logsdon, Elizabeth A.; Sharma, Karun V.; Weiss, Clifford R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Volume 75:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2022-04-28
• Subjects: gastrostomy tube -- feeding dysfunction -- displacement -- leakage -- infection; Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Pediatric gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Infants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition disorders in children -- Periodicals; Child Nutrition -- Periodicals; Digestive System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Infant Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition Disorders -- Periodicals; Child; 618.923
• DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003474
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-2116

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) provide long-term feeding assistance to children with severe feeding dysfunction. Although there are a host of complications that occur at home with current pediatric G-tube feeding, their prevalences and outcomes remain relatively unstudied. This study aims to identify and describe such complications. Methods: A dual-round survey was administered to 98 participants through the Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports parents and caretakers of G-tube-fed children. Information was collected broadly regarding G-tube complications, causes, and attitudes toward such complications. Results: Infection (56%), itching/irritation/redness (52%), and leakage (51%) were the leading G-tube related complications. The average time that G-tubes were replaced was 3.4 ± 1.2 months as compared to the typical recommended period of up to 6 months. Of the caretakers who had not experienced G-tube displacement, 7.9% wanted to see a change in current G-tubes to address the issue, compared with 75% of those who had experienced displacement. This 67.1% differential in caretakers' attitudes toward G-tubes based on their prior experience with a particular complication was the largest gap among all other listed complications. Conclusions: G-tube complications are prevalent and varied. A sizable portion of G-tube users experience complications severe enough to require intervention. Of these, G-tube displacement is particularly critical and frequently precedes other prevalent complications, namely gastric leakage, infection, and tissue granulation.