Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-4rdrl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-07T02:53:58.986Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Perceptions of caregivers following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with congenitally malformed hearts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2009

Ramesh Srinivasan*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool
Catherine O’Neill
Affiliation:
Medical school, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Wendy Blumenow
Affiliation:
Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
A. Mark Dalzell
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool
*
Correspondence to: Dr Ramesh Srinivasan, MD MRCP (UK) DCH MRCPCH, Specialist Registrar in Paediatric Gastroenterology, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, United Kingdom. Tel & Fax: +44 1924816910; E-mail: ramsriniv@doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Introduction

While the usefulness of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is clearly established in the nutritional support of children with neurodisability, the role in substituting for prolonged nasogastric feeding in children with congenitally malformed hearts is a relatively recent development. There are no previously published experiences of the perceptions of parents or those providing care following the insertion of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in such children.

Methods

Descriptive qualitative survey of parental perceptions using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results

We obtained completed 27 point semi-structured questionnaires from 38 providers of care for children with congenitally malformed hearts. Time taken to feed their children reduced significantly after the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, from 30 to 60 minutes previously to 15 minutes subsequently. The frequency of feeding also reduced significantly, from 6 times a day to 4 to 5 times a day. Those providing care perceived significant reductions in pre-procedural symptoms, the ease of administering medications, and noted an enhanced level of happiness in their children. Of those providing care, 97% were highly satisfied with the procedure, with 15 parents (40%) wishing that the operation was done earlier, while the remainder considered it had been done at the appropriate time.

Conclusions

Those caring for children with congenitally malformed hearts perceive significant improvements in the symptoms, wellbeing, and ease of administering medication for their children after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Of the group, 97% regarded the procedure as the appropriate means of assisting nutritional support.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Barton, JS, Hindmarsh, PC, Scrimgeour, CM, Rennie, MJ, Preece, MA. Energy expenditure in congenital heart disease. Arch Dis Child 1994; 70: 59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2. Van der Kuip, M, Hoos, MB, Forget, PP, Westerterp, KR, Gemke, RJ, de Meer, K. Energy expenditure in infants with congenital heart disease, including a meta-analysis. Acta Paediatr 2003; 92: 921927.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Cavell, B. Gastric emptying in infants with congenital heart disease. Acta Paediatr Scand 1981; 70: 517520.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Forchielli, ML, McColl, R, Walker, WA, Lo, C. Children with congenital heart disease: a nutrition challenge. Nutr Rev 1994; 52: 348353.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Rosentahl, A. Congenital cardiac anomalies and gastrointestinal malformations. In: Pierpoint MEM, Moller JH, (eds). Genetics of Cardiovascular Disease. Maritus Nijhoff, Boston, MA, 1987, pp 113126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Sondheimer, JM, Hamilton, JR. Intestinal function in infants with severe congenital heart disease. J Pediatr 1978; 92: 572578.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Schwarz, SM, Gewitz, MH, See, CC, et al. Enteral nutrition in infants with congenital heart disease and growth failure. Pediatrics 1990; 86: 368373.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Unger, R, DeKleermaeker, M, Gidding, SS, Christoffel, KK. Calories count. Improved weight gain with dietary intervention in congenital heart disease. Am J Dis Child 1992; 146: 10781084.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. McGrath, SJ, Splaingard, ML, Alba, HM, Kaufman, BH, Glicklick, M. Survival and functional outcome of children with severe cerebral palsy following gastrostomy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1992; 73: 133137.Google ScholarPubMed
10. Sullivan, PB, Juszczak, E, Bachlet, AM, et al. Gastrostomy tube feeding in children with cerebral palsy: a prospective, longitudinal study. Dev Med Child Neurol 2005; 47: 7785.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Richter, T, Meier, C, Steppberger, K, Knorrek, G, Lietz, T. Experiences with enteral nutrition of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) via a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Klin Padiatr 2001; 213: 325328.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Williams, SG, Ashworth, F, McAlweenie, A, Poole, S, Hodson, ME, Westaby, D. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding in patients with cystic fibrosis. Gut 1999; 44: 8790.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13. Guimber, D, Michaud, L, Storme, L, Deschildre, A, Turck, D, Gottrand, F. Gastrostomy in infants with neonatal pulmonary disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2003; 36: 459463.Google ScholarPubMed
14. Cosgrove, M, Jenkins, HR. Experience of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with Crohn’s disease. Arch Dis Child 1997; 76: 141143.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15. Skolin, I, Hernell, O, Larsson, MV, Wahlgren, C, Wahlin, YB. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with malignant disease. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2002; 19: 154163.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16. Casswall, TH, Backstrom, B, Henstrom, L. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (peg) in children: long term outcome and nutritional aspects. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2004; 39 (Suppl 1): S492S493.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17. Craig, GM, Carr, LJ, Cass, H, et al. Medical, surgical, and health outcomes of gastrostomy feeding. Dev Med Child Neurol 2006; 48: 353360.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18. Tawfik, R, Dickson, A, Clarke, M, Thomas, AG. Caregivers’ perceptions following gastrostomy in severely disabled children with feeding problems. Dev Med Child Neurol 1997; 39: 746751.Google ScholarPubMed
19. Sullivan, PB, Juszczak, E, Bachlet, AM, et al. Impact of gastrostomy tube feeding on the quality of life of carers of children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2004; 46: 796800.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20. Sloper, P, Turner, S. Risk and resistance factors in the adaptation of parents of children with severe physical disability. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 1993; 34: 167188.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. Avitsland, TL, Kristensen, C, Emblem, R, Veenstra, M, Mala, T, Bjørnland, K. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: a safe technique with major symptom relief and high parental satisfaction. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2006; 43: 624628.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22. Ciotti, G, Holzer, R, Pozzi, M, Dalzell, M. Nutritional support via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with cardiac disease experiencing difficulties with feeding. Cardiol Young 2002; 12: 537541.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23. Hofner, G, Behrens, R, Koch, A, Singer, H, Hofbeck, M. Enteral nutritional support by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with congenital heart disease. Pediatr Cardiol 2000; 21: 341346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed