Faculty Collaboration Database

Experience with gastrojejunal feeding tubes in children. Am J Gastroenterol 1997 Mar;92(3):476-80

Date

03/01/1997

Pubmed ID

9068473

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0031019729 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   20 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of untoward symptomatic outcomes and major/minor complications occurring in children with percutaneous gastrojejunal tubes (GJT) in place.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 28 patients with GJTs was performed. The diagnoses for these patients were: neurological diseases, 23; respiratory diseases, two; and gastrointestinal tract disorders, three. Twenty-three tubes were placed radiologically, four endoscopically, and one surgically. Patients' age range was between 1.5 and 180 months (mean 47.2 months), and weight at the time of tube insertion was between 2.28 and 42.7 kg. (mean 11.7 kg.). Duration of follow-up was from 1 to 49 months (mean 17.3 months). The patients were evaluated for the persistence or new development of the following symptoms: vomiting, hematemesis, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, pain at the site of gastrostomy tube insertion, stridor with feeds, and dumping. Minor complications (including breakage, partial/total displacement, or dislodgement of GJT, tube occlusion, tube leakage, transient infection and/or granuloma at the gastrostomy site, and continued gastroesophageal reflux post-GJT conversion), as well as major complications (requiring surgical intervention) and mortality, were assessed.

RESULTS: One or more symptoms either persisted or developed de novo in 20 children after tube insertion. Vomiting was the most common symptom, being present in 16 patients. One or more minor complication occurred in 21 patients; the most common was the accidental dislodgement of the jejunal feeding catheter. Major complications occurred in 11 patients (e.g., fundoplication in seven patients). Five patients died. Six patients had no complications; at the time of GJT placement, their mean age (93.3 months) was significantly older (p = 0.0269) and mean weight (21.3 kg.) significantly heavier (p = 0.0067) than those of children reporting major complications.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ongoing or new gastrointestinal symptoms and minor complications are common in children with GJT. However, GJT placement in larger children is associated with fewer complications than in smaller children.

Author List

Peters JM, Simpson P, Tolia V

Author

Pippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

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

Abdominal Pain
Adolescent
Bacterial Infections
Body Weight
Child
Child, Preschool
Constipation
Diarrhea
Dumping Syndrome
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Enteral Nutrition
Equipment Failure
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Gastrostomy
Granuloma
Hematemesis
Humans
Infant
Intubation, Gastrointestinal
Lung Diseases, Interstitial
Male
Nervous System Diseases
Pain
Radiography, Interventional
Respiratory Sounds
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Vomiting