[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in paediatric cancer patients].
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition is common in children with cancer. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a well-established method to treat malnutrition. The objective of this study was to describe the complications and efficacy of PEG in paediatric cancer patients.


METHODS
Between 1 January 2000 and 1 February 2006, 54 children in the Paediatric Oncology Unit received a PEG. Diagnosis, indications, complications and weight at the time of diagnosis, placement and removal were retrieved from a retrospective review of the medical charts.


RESULTS
54 children received one PEG and three children received two PEGs. Their median age was 8.9 years (10 months-15 years). The median time for PEG-use was 252 days (13-829 days). 63% of the children experienced a total of 107 complications; the most frequent being inflammation (n=48), leakage of gastric juice (n=27) and mechanical problems (n=10). Eight tubes were changed, and eight tubes were removed due to complications. 85% of the inflammations were related to neutropenia. There was a significant (p=0,0006) decrease in the median weight-for-age standard deviation score (SDS) of 0, 70 (-1,12; -0,28) from the time of diagnosis to the PEG. From the time of placement to the removal of the tube there was a significant (p=0,04) increase in the median weight-for-age SDS of 0,46 (0,02; 0,89).


CONCLUSIONS
PEG is a safe and efficient method to treat malnutrition in paediatric cancer patients. The most frequent complication is inflammation during periods of neutropenia.
Arhus Universitetshospital, Skejby, Børneafdelingen.
Mari
M
Barlaug
Aksel
A
Kruse
Henrik
H
Schrøder
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain