One of the most difficult problems facing a parent of a child born with a complex congenital heart defect is feeding problems. Almost all
children born with a complex CHD have them. The most common way to deal with these feeding issues is the use of a Nasogastric
decision which to use, if either, should be made between both the child's doctor, and the parents of the child. Many factors will be
weighed, including the severity of the heart defect, the overall strength of the individual child, the severity of the feeding issues, and many
more.
NG Tubes ~ (NasoGastric) An NG Tube is a tube (most commonly yellow in color) which is inserted into one nostril, down the throat, and
into the stomach. Depending on the size of the person using it, depends on the size of the tube. The end which goes into the stomach
has a rounded end-piece which allows liquid nourishment to flow into the stomach. The external end is usually taped to the cheek, with
the use of Duoderm, Tagaderm, or both, and the remaining length is left to dangle down the side of the child. Most parents tuck the
remaining length down the front of the child's shirt to prevent the tube from being snagged and pulled out. On the end of the external
piece, there is a multi-port silicone fixture. The fixture is designed to accommodate needless syringes, which are filled with formula
and/or medications. The tube should be replaced about once per month, providing it doesn't get pulled out before then. Parents are
required to learn how to change the NG Tubes at home, which is fairly simple for many parents, once they get the hang of it.
G Tubes ~ (Gastrostomy - The word "gastrostomy" comes from two Latin root words for "stomach" (gastr) and "new opening" (stomy). A G
Tube serves the same purpose as the NG Tube, delivering liquid nourishment directly into the stomach, for patients who will not, or
cannot eat by mouth. The most common types of GTubes are the BARD and the Mic Key. They look different from each other, use
different attachments, but serve the same purpose. They are both surgically implanted via the use of endoscopy, and can usually be done
with only a one or two night hospital stay.
Another type of G Tube is the Gastrostomy-Jejunostomy Tube (commonly abbreviated as "G-J Tube" --"Jejunostomy" is made up of the
words for "jejunum" (or the second part of the small intestine) and "new opening.") is a tube that is placed into your child's stomach and
small intestine. This tube is used to vent your child's stomach for air or drainage, and is often used when the child has severe gastric
reflux/vomiting problems. Since the inner tube goes into the upper part of the small intestine, very little food goes into the stomach, thus
preventing the child from having reflux and vomiting.
Links to sites about feeding and/or growth challenges:
** The websites above are not in any way controlled, associated with, or endorsed by Hope for Children with HLHS. They are placed
here merely for informational purposes.
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