[Favorable results of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children in need of long-term tube feeding].

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of indications, weight and peroperative and postoperative complications in 32 consecutive children who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

DESIGN

Retrospective.

SETTING

Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

METHOD

Survey of medical records.

RESULTS

In 26 children the indication for PEG was necessity of prolonged tube feeding on account of severe psychomotor retardation. The 6 others had no such retardation and had various indications. Mean hospital stay was 6.7 days, median 6 days. Three patients had immediate postoperative complications: two had leakage, one infection. In 22 patients there were no late complications. One patients died following status epilepticus. One patient had a late peritonitis, and two others gastroesophageal reflux severe enough to require surgical intervention. Six patients had mild long-term complications, mainly infectious. All children showed improvement of weight for length.

CONCLUSION

The PEG procedure is well-tolerated, effective way of tube feeding in children, with a relatively low complication rate.