Pediatric Feeding Tube Information

Pediatric feeding tubes are used to give liquid food and medicine to a child. This process is also called enteral feeding. Feeding tubes can be used in a medical facility or at home for both short- and long-term periods.

Significance

• A feeding tube ensures proper nutrition.

  Children may need a feeding tube if they are unable to eat enough or at all, or if they have trouble swallowing. These circumstances can be caused by a number of medical issues, ranging from gastroesophageal reflux to brain and spinal cord problems.

Benefits

• A pediatric feeding tube has several benefits. It ensures that the child is getting the right nutrients in sufficient amounts. It also allows flexibility of feeding while the child sleeps and permits feeding without interrupting the child's care.

Disadvantages

• Feeding bags

  Common risks associated with tube feeding include infection or leaking at the tube insertion site.

Considerations

• Tube feedings can be used alone or as a supplement to feeding by mouth.

  Pediatric tube feedings can be used alone or as a supplement to feeding by mouth, depending on the child's changing nutritional and/or medical needs.

Features

• A feeding tube may be placed in the child's nose (nasogastric tube) or at another point along her digestive tract (gastrostomy tube), including the esophagus, stomach or intestines.

Warning

• A child can participate in normal activities while he has a feeding tube in place. The only exception is any activity that may cause the tube to come out.