Half-Solid Nutrient Feeding Through Gastrostomy in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Purpose: Half-solid nutrients have been used widely in adult patients with gastrostomy. But in pediatric patients, special problems seem to exist such as narrow catheters, and small stomachs. Here we report our experience of feeding half-solid nutrients to pediatric patients. Methods: Nine patients were fed with half-solid nutrients through their gastrostomy. Half-solid nutrients were made by adding pectin, dextrin or agar to liquid nutrients. All patients used balloon gastrostomy buttons whose outside diameter was in the range of 14 Fr to 20 Fr. Results: Eight patients achieved shortening of feeding time, improvement of dumping syndrome, maintenance of blood sugar level (in patients with glycogenosis) and improvement of leakage of gastrostomy, by using half-solid nutrients. Two infants failed to be fed with half-solid nutrients because of nausea, but one of them succeeded after growing up. Conclusions: Half-solid nutrients could be used safely even in pediatric patients. It improved the quality of life of the patients and their parents.