title: ESPGHAN position paper on management of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children and adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) position statement provides a comprehensive guide for health care providers to manage percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in a safe, effective, and appropriate way.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant literature from searches of PubMed, CINAHL, and recent guidelines was reviewed. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the authors. Final consensus was obtained by multiple e-mail exchange and during 3 face-to-face meetings of the gastroenterology committee of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endoscopically placed gastrostomy devices are essential in the management of children with feeding and nutritional problems. The article focuses on practical issues such as indications and contraindications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decision to place an endoscopic gastrostomy has to be made by an appropriate multidisciplinary team, which then provides active follow-up and care for the child and the device.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK †Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Jeanne de Flandre University Hospital, Lille, France ‡Department of Paediatrics, Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal §Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK ||First Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens, Children's Hospital "Ag. Sofia," Athens, Greece ¶Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark #Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Cité, Paris, France and APHP, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Paris, France **Unit of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland ††Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel ‡‡Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Meyer Children's, Hospital, Florence, Italy §§University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia ||||Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain ¶¶Division of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK ##UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Heuschkel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gottrand
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authors.lastname: Devarajan
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authors.lastname: Poole
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authors.lastname: Karkelis
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authors.lastname: Papadopoulou
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authors.lastname: Husby
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authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruemmele
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Schäppi
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authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilschanski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lionetti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orel
authors.forename: J
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authors.lastname: Tovar
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authors.lastname: Vandenplas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005060:Europe; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D012958:Societies, Scientific