Faculty Collaboration Database

Nutritional and psychosocial outcomes of gastrostomy tube-dependent children completing an intensive inpatient behavioral treatment program. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2013 Nov;57(5):668-72

Date

06/21/2013

Pubmed ID

23783012

DOI

10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182a027a3

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84888131743 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   50 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Limited published data describe the long-term effects of behavioral strategies to wean children from gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding dependence. This study presents data relating to nutritional and psychosocial outcomes observed during a 1-year period in medically complex GT feeding-dependent patients who completed an inpatient behavioral-based tube weaning protocol.

METHODS: This was a retrospective study of prospectively and retrospectively collected data associated with a clinical cohort of 77 children diagnosed as having a feeding disorder, GT feeding dependence (>1 year), and an inability to maintain acceptable growth via oral feeding completing an inpatient tube weaning protocol. Nutritional data (percentage of ideal body weight, and oral energy intake as percent ofenergy goal) and psychosocial data (mealtime behavior problems, quality of caregiver and child interactions, and parenting stress) were assessed pre- and post-hospitalization. Nutritional data were also monitored longitudinally at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postreatment. Data were grouped for retrospective analysis.

RESULTS: Mealtime environment and feeding behaviors significantly improved, and all of the patients demonstrated reductions in tube dependence aside from 1 treatment failure. Fifty-one percent of patients were fully weaned from tube feeding after 2 weeks and an additional 12% completed weaning in the outpatient follow-up clinic within 1 year. Patients maintained nutritional stability at the 1-year posttreatment follow-up appointment.

CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient behavioral interventions are highly effective and safe for transitioning long-term tube feeding children to oral feeding.

Author List

Silverman AH, Kirby M, Clifford LM, Fischer E, Berlin KS, Rudolph CD, Noel RJ

Authors

Elizabeth Fischer PhD Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Alan Silverman PhD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Behavior Therapy
Child
Child Behavior
Child Development
Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Child, Preschool
Cohort Studies
Feeding Behavior
Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood
Female
Gastrostomy
Hospitals, Pediatric
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Nutritional Status
Parent-Child Relations
Retrospective Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Wisconsin