Medical, surgical, and health outcomes of gastrostomy feeding

Abstract

A prospective controlled study with repeated measures before and after surgery examined the medical, surgical, and health outcomes of gastrostomy for children with disabilities at a tertiary paediatric referral centre in the North Thames area, UK. Anthropometric measures included weight, mid-upper-arm and head circumference. Five-day prospective food diaries were completed and data on physical health and surgical outcomes recorded. Seventy-six children participated and underwent gastrostomy (44 males, 32 females; median age 3y 4mo, range 4mo-17y 5mo), and 35/76 required an anti-reflux procedure. Categories of disability were: cerebral palsy (32/76), syndrome of chromosomal or other genetic o..