How Feeding Tubes Can Help Children With Cerebral Palsy?

Some children with cerebral palsy have difficulties while eating food and cannot feed themselves. Even some children also experience trouble while ingesting important medications. In these cases, parents may consider using a feeding tube to ensure their child receives proper nutrition.

Clearly, the decision to use a feeding tube requires the participation of the best gastroenterologist. In cerebral palsy, every child may experience different feeding problems. It may be that your child is not getting adequate caloric intake and is experiencing a lack of adequate weight gain.

If you are considering a feeding tube, your child's doctor may direct you to the most appropriate type. Tubes can be inserted through the nose, which leads to the stomach, or directly to the stomach wall. This will be done with the child under anesthesia, so the procedure is painless.

Let us tell you about different types of feeding tubes for your child.

G tube (gastrostomy tube): It refers to a tube inserted through the abdomen to the stomach. It is mainly used when long-term feeding is planned.

PEG tubes: PEG means "percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy". It is a type of G probe that is inserted endoscopically into the stomach.

Bard Buttons: It is named after the company that invents them; a bard button is a G-tube with an external "button" that is flush with the skin. An extension tube is connected to facilitate feeding.

Nasogastric tubes (NG): A tube that is inserted through a nostril, passing through the esophagus and into the stomach. Usually, this is only used for short-term needs. It does not require a surgical procedure to insert.

Nasoyejunal (NJ) and nasoduodenal (ND) tubes: These tubes are very similar to NG tubes, except that they eventually curl in the midsection of the small intestine (the jejunum) or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). These are for children who, for whatever reason, cannot tolerate stomach feeding.

If it is determined that your child will benefit from the use of one of these feeding tubes, the next step in the process is to work with the specialized doctor to determine what type of formula will benefit your child the most. For accessing the best gastroenterologist in Pakistan in this concern, visit Hayaat.pk.

The general term for the process of installing a feeding tube is known as "gastrostomy” and the different types of gastrostomy are:

Stamm Gastrostomy: This is the open surgical placement of a tube through an incision in the abdomen. The stomach is sutured to the peritoneum at the exact site.

Janeway Gastrostomy: It is the creation of a permanent gastric fistula through a laparoscopic procedure. Laparoscopic refers to a procedure that is less invasive and an alternative to open surgery.

Additionally, many children with cerebral palsy have benefited and prospered. With the assistance of professional doctors and the right techniques, gastrostomy is a successful medical procedure.

To a find a doctor in the required specialty, visit Hayaat.pk and book your appointment with the best gastroenterologist in Lahore now.