Aerodigestive Considerations with Enteral Tube Feeding
摘要
Enteral feeding in infants and children is common in patients with aerodigestive disorders. Nasogastric tubes (NGT) are often the first and most common enteral feeding modality and can act as a temporary support while patients work on their ability to achieve full oral feeding. When clinically safe, oral feeding remains the preferred method for feeding even in patients with aspiration. Consideration of a patient’s comorbidities, gastroesophageal reflux burden, need for positive pressure ventilation, risk and duration of gastric feeding intolerance, and goals of care all need to be considered when selecting the type of tube to be placed. Use of thickened or blenderized feedings may help with symptoms of gastric feeding intolerance.