G-TUBE QUESTIONS

[anonymous]

Hello Everyone,

At what point is a G-Tube usually recommended? Is this standard in all countries? I am in Canada. I am curious because I am a Step-Mom to a 9yr old w/cf and he is very skinny, about 50 pounds. He is a picky eater too <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">( so I was wondering at what point the CF team usually suggests this.

Thanks for any info!!!

 

[anonymous]

My son is 5 and had a G tube put in last February. The doctors mentioned it at many visits but never pushed the issue. Finally after a year of not gaining an oz, I asked more about it and they referred me to a Gastroenterologists. At his next 2 week stay, they put it in..He has gained 6 lbs since February. The G tube is a little button (looks like the tip of a beach ball), and you attach a tube that leads to the feeding machine. When you are not using it, you simple detach the tube and close it.. He is very good about it, and puts the attached tubing in by himself.. At school the other day, he lifted his shirt up and one of the other boys saw it and asked what it was.. He said, oh that is where my mom feeds me... Good luck.

 

[anonymous]

Our CF team began talking about the g-tube after our daughter's weight kept slipping down on the growth chart. She was down to about 6% and was having a lot of respiratory issues. Basically, they said that she didn't take in enough calories to fight of these infections or gain weight. Rapid breathing can take up a lot of calories. The nutritionist also told us that children with CF need to take in 150 to 200% of the recommended daily caloric intake.

Our pulmonologist also showed us studies where CF children with good nutrition (better weight gain) throughout the first three years of life had better lung function later on. All of these factors helped us make the decision that Sami needed the g-tube.

Maria (mother of three daughters, the youngest, Samantha, w/cf)