GASTRO‐OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX AND FEEDING PROBLEMS AFTER GASTROSTOMY IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT
Ralf G. Heine, Dinah Reddihough, Anthony G. Catto‐Smith
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) on the feeding problems and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) of 30 consecutive children with severe neurological impairment who had PEG between October 1990 and March 1993. Evaluation was by questionnaire, clinical history, examination, 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring and endoscopy. Gastrostomy placement significantly reduced feeding time, feed-related choking episodes and frequency of chest infections. Family stress was significantly reduced in two-thirds of cases. Significant weight-gain occurred. The clinical severity of GOR was significantly increased in eight patients and fundoplication was required in five. 24-hour oesophageal pH measurements before PEG did not reliably predict subsequently increased GOR. Seven patients died, but their deaths were apparently unrelated to GOR. PEG effectively provides nutrition, improves feed-related stresses, but may exacerbate GOR.
Extracted Claims
6 claims extracted from this paper into the knowledge graph
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) causes significant weight-gain
“Significant weight-gain occurred”
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) exacerbates gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR)
“The clinical severity of GOR was significantly increased in eight patients and fundoplication was required in five”
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) reduces feeding time
“Gastrostomy placement significantly reduced feeding time”