Safety and effectiveness of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy and gastro jejunostomy in children with cardiac disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy for providing nutritional support in children with cardiac disease.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 58 children with cardiac disease who underwent radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy from November 2001 to June 2005 was conducted. Patient data were collected until January 2007. The patients' weights were collected at the time of insertion and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after insertion, and weight-for-age z-scores were calculated.


RESULTS
The mean weight-for-age z-score increased from -2.79 at the time of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy insertion to -2.33 (p = 0.05) at 6 months after insertion, -1.89 (p = 0.001) at 12 months, -1.65 (p = 0.0002) at 18 months, and -1.40 (p = 0.0004) at 24 months. Repeated measures regression analysis showed a significant increase in weight-for-age z-score over time (p < 0.0001), with an estimated mean increase in weight-for-age z-score of 0.055 per month. No mortality was associated with the insertion or usage of radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy. Major complications included intestinal perforation (3.4%) and aspiration pneumonia (12.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy is a safe method for providing long-term nutritional support in children with cardiac disease and is effective for improving growth and nutrition in this group of patients.
Sy
Keiyan
K
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8.
Dipchand
Anne
A
Atenafu
Eshetu
E
Chait
Peter
P
Bannister
Louise
L
Temple
Michael
M
John
Philip
P
Connolly
Bairbre
B
Amaral
Joao G
JG
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome