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Feeding Tubes

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My child suffers from chronic reflux and takes Prevacid. After over two years with medication, doctors want to do the Nissen, which is fine with me, but they also want to put a feeding tube. Main reason is so that he grows and thrives. He doesn't eat much, mostly PediaSure, but he is overall healthy. Tiny, but healthy.

Answer of our experts

G-tubes are a good idea after a fundoplication. Children sometimes can't or don't eat well after surgery and it will help. They are also be used for supplemental nutrition. You are never going to make your child big; our aim is not to make him fat, but good nutrition (adequate weight or height) does allow children to fight infections better, heal better, and have overall better health. G-tubes are also very easy to take out again-sometimes without a trip to the Operating Room. I usually have kids keep their G-tubes until they haven't used them for at least 2-3 months

CP/TK 7-13-10

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Find other pages that share the same topic as this page Pain and Behaviour 10 Pain and Behaviour 15 Growth in Childhood 2 Growth in Childhood 15 Growth in Childhood 1 Feeding and Dental Difficulties 5 Feeding and Dental Difficulties 49 Feeding and Dental Difficulties 1 Self-injurious and aggressive behaviour 3 Self-injurious and aggressive behaviour 14 Self-injurious and aggressive behaviour 2 Mouth, nose and throat 14 Sensory processing 2 Reflux 3 Reflux 37 Reflux 1 Cognitive and behavioural characteristics in CdLS 2 Cognitive and behavioural characteristics in CdLS 9

Recommendation(s)

Reflux

R32

Consider always gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in any individual with CdLS owing to its frequency and wide variability in presentation, which includes challenging behaviour.

R33

Modification of nutrition and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are the first-line treatments of GORD. Anti-reflux medications need to be used to their maximum dosage. Surgical interventions for GORD should be limited to those individuals with CdLS in whom nutritional and medical treatments have been unsuccessful or airway safety is at risk.

R34

If GORD symptoms persist, endoscopy should be strongly considered whilst an individual with CdLS is still in paediatric care.

R35

Surveillance for Barrett’s Oesophagus needs to be discussed with and decided together with the family, balancing the potential gain in health and burden for the individual with CdLS.

Recommendation(s)

Feeding and Dental Difficulties

R12

In every CdLS individual with prolonged and marked feeding difficulties, the multidisciplinary assessment (from healthcare workers across many disciplines) should consider (temporary) placement of a gastrostomy (surgical opening through the abdomen into the stomach) as a supplement to oral feeding.

R13

In individuals with CdLS who have recurrent respiratory infections, reflux and/or aspiration (breathing foreign objects into airways) should be ruled out.

R14

The palate should be closely examined at diagnosis. In case of symptoms of a (submucous) cleft palate, referral for specialist assessment is indicated.

R15

Dental assessment and cleaning should take place regularly; a more thorough dental examination or treatment under anaesthesia may be necessary.

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Please take note that the Ask the Expert service is comprised of volunteer professionals in various areas of focus. Answers are not considered a medical, behavioral, or educational consultation. Ask the Expert is not a substitute for the care and attention your child’s personal physician, psychologist, educational consultant, or social worker can deliver.

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Feeding Tubes

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