Transitioning from j-tube to g-tube

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else whose child has a j-tube has

transitioned to a g-tube recently? My son, TJ who is 5 currently is j-

tube fed with a small amount of oral feeds. All involved feel it is

time to try increasing his oral feeds. In order to do this we have

slightly reduced his j-feeds.

One question raised by his ST is that his stomach has most likely

shrank since he has not had any large quanitity of food in it for

over 9 months. How did you deal with this issue? Did you use the g-

tube to stretch it our again? I don't think his oral intake will be

enough for a long time to make that kind of difference. Currently he

is eating about 150 calories per day.

Also, for those with delayed gastric emptying, how did this issue

resolve? My understanding is the only chance at resolution is as the

child grows the stomach will as well. Thus increasing the motility

of the intestional tract. TJ has had a pyloplasty which did help a

bit.

I would appreciate your feedback if you have gone through a similiar

situation.

Thanks,

Meribeth, mom to 8, TJ 5 - RSS, delayed gastric emptying,

reflux, and 1

[Guest guest]

A J/GJ-tube is a tube that passes through the stoma into the stomach,

through the pylorus sphincter (the muscle at the bottom of the stomach),

through the duadnum (sp) and into the jejunum (a part of the intestines).

This tube bypasses the stomach entirely.

A G-tube passes through the stoma into the stomach, and feeds there.

As I understand it, a GJ-tube is good for kids that suffer from severe

reflux, or delayed gastric emptying, or intermittent DGE problems.

Hope this helps

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 27 months, 20# 1oz, 29.9 " , Prevacid, Singulair,

GT)