Derya Suluhan
Gulhane Faculty of Nursing, Turkey
Title: Effect of gastrostomy tube feeding on caregivers and children
Biography
Biography: Derya Suluhan
Abstract
Delivery of nutrition directly into stomach by using Gastrostomy tube (G-tube) is an easy, safe and physiologically better way of nutrition intake since this method enables pediatric patients to benefit from anti-infectious effects of the stomach acid and peristaltic movements and mixing function of stomach. Gastrostomy tube feeding has various effects on daily lives of pediatric patients and their caregivers. Existing studies described diverse outcomes before and after gastrostomy with positive and negative impacts on caregivers and children. Parents of pediatric patients may not be sufficiently informed so that they may find it difficult to reach to a final decision regarding gastrostomy procedure. After the gastrostomy procedure, some of the caregivers expressed positive physical impacts of the procedure on their children, including, increase in weight, improved respiratory status and better quality of life.