Complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: single centre experience

INTRODUCTION: Aim of the study is to investigate the complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children.
METHODS: 91 paediatric patients introduced with PEG insertion by pull technique in last five years were enrolled the study. Hospital records had been searched retrospectively for demographic data of the patients, primary diseases causing nutritional insufficiency, major and minor complications after the PEG insertion.
RESULTS: 91 patients had been included the study aging between 1 month - 18 years (median 79 months). 45,1 % (n=41) of the patients were female. Majority of the patients (76,9 %, n=70) had neurological diseases. Nineteen patients (20,9%) had metabolic diseases and two patients had cystic fibrosis (2,2 %). We had observed totally 37 (40,7%) complication. Three (3,3%) of them were major and 34 (37,4%) of them were minor complications.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy placement is an important way to continue enteral feeding in children. Although PEG is a minimally invasive technique, there are some problems waiting children and parents after PEG insertion, majority of the them are minor complications.