title: Complications of gastrojejunal feeding tubes in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term gastrojejunal (GJ) feeding is an increasingly popular alternative to gastric fundoplication for children with pathologic reflux, particularly those with neurologic impairment. We sought to evaluate morbidity associated with GJ feeding tubes in a large population of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all children who underwent placement of a GJ feeding tube in a large children's hospital between January 2005 and September 2013 were reviewed. Indications for GJ feedings were noted. Events including a requirement for tube replacement and intestinal complications attributable to a GJ tube that required a laparotomy were evaluated. Risk factors for morbidity were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 124 children underwent GJ tube placement at an average age of 5.0 y (2 mo-16 y). Of the total, 83 (66%) subjects were neurologically impaired and 108 (87%) had gastroesophageal reflux. Of those, 55 (44%) had undergone prior laparoscopic fundoplication. Persistent reflux symptoms occurred in 22 (17.6%). Subjects underwent an average of 2.75 tube replacements per year and those under 2 y old had almost four. Four children (3.2%) required emergent laparotomy for intestinal perforation due to a GJ tube. These subjects were significantly younger (12 mo) than those without perforations (60.6 mo, P < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GJ feeding tubes were associated with notable morbidity ranging from persistent reflux to dislodgement and intestinal perforation. Together with issues of inconvenience with continuous feedings, these complications should be taken into account in children and particularly infants, in whom GJ feedings are being considered as an alternative to fundoplication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Insiyah
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Campwala
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yanni
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California. Electronic address: ggollin61@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gollin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D017211:Treatment Failure
keywords: Complications; Gastroesophageal reflux; Gastrojejunal feeding