Jejunal feeding tubes via gastrostomy in children

Background: The implantation of a jejunal feeding tube, via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), is a possible method for the treatment of inadequate oral feeding in patients who are affected by gastroesophageal reflux. Patients and Methods: This study involves a retrospective analysis of all the patients up to 18 years of age, who were treated by means of jejunal feeding tubes at the Universitatsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, between 15 September 1995 and 1 August 2000. Results: In all, 76 patients received a PEG, and 12 of them were also given jejunal feeding tubes. One of these patients has experienced no complications. In the other 11 children, 52 changes of jejunal tube have been required. The most important reason for these changes was displacement of the tube into the gastrointestinal tract, resulting from technical problems with the connecting section. Conclusions: Jejunal feeding tubes in patients with gastrostomy are an alternative to fundoplication and drugs. However, a high rate of changes is to be expected.