Percutaneous gastrostomy in Pediatrics: Observational Study in two tertiary care hospitals

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy provides a route for long-term enteral support in pediatric patients who are unable to maintain safe or adequate oral intake.

Objective: To describe the experience with endoscopic gastrostomy placement in two tertiary care hospitals.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective study of patients aged 0 to 18 years who underwent endoscopic gastrostomy between January 2021 and September 2024 at Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas and the Honduran Social Security Institute. Demographic characteristics, indication for gastrostomy, complications, enteral feeding initiation, length of hospital stay, and nutritional status according to Z-score were reviewed.

Results: Thirty-six patients were included; 20 (55.6%) were male and 16 (44.4%) females. Mean age was 5.95 ± 5.40 years. Nineteen patients (52.8%) were from rural areas and 17 (47.2%) were from urban areas. The main indications were neurological sequelae, muscular dystrophy, post-traumatic sequelae, oncological conditions, and hydrocephalus. Twenty-seven patients (75.0%) had no complications. Peristomal dermatitis occurred in 5 (13.9%), tube obstruction in 3 (8.3%), and one death not related to the procedure was recorded in 1 patient (2.8%).

Conclusions: Endoscopic gastrostomy was feasible and safe in this pediatric series, with most adverse events being minor and related to the stoma or tube. Standardized postprocedural follow-up and early nutritional assessment are priority strategies to optimize clinical outcomes.