A gastrostomy tube, or G-tube, is a small tube that goes through the skin and belly wall into the stomach. It can give your child food, fluids, or medicine — or help release air or fluid from the stomach.

A G-tube is a safe way to feed your child because it stays in place and gets closed when not in use.

Some kids can still eat by mouth and only use the G-tube when needed. Others may rely on the tube for all their nutrition. This all depends on your child’s needs and the reason for the G-tube.

Your child may need a G-tube if they:

• Can’t take enough food by mouth to grow and develop.
• Have a hard time sucking, swallowing, or eating.
• Has a problem with reflux, has a metabolic issue, or has breathing problems.

There are three common methods for placing a G-tube. Your child’s care team will choose the safest and best method for your child’s needs.

The three types include:

• Surgical method: A surgeon brings the stomach up to the belly wall through a scope or a small cut. They place the G-tube through an opening in the belly.
• PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) method: A doctor places a scope down the throat into the stomach. They then guide the tube through the mouth and out through the belly.
• Percutaneous method: A doctor uses X-rays to guide the tube into the stomach through the belly wall. Small fasteners help keep the stomach in place while it heals.

All G-tubes have either a balloon or a bumper at the end that sits inside the stomach. This part must stay snug against the belly wall to keep the tube in place. This prevents stomach juices or digested food from leaking out of the stomach through the tract.

Over time, a tract (or tunnel) forms from the outside of the belly to the inside of the stomach. Once the site heals, a doctor may change the G-tube to a different type if needed.

How long healing takes depends on how the tube was placed:

• Surgical method: 6 weeks
• PEG method: 3 months
• Percutaneous method: 1 month

Your child’s care team will let you know when and where the first tube change will happen.

How long your child needs a G-tube depends on the reason for it.

Some kids need it long term, while others need it short term, such as until:

• They can eat enough food by mouth to grow and stay healthy.
• Their condition improves or is corrected.

A fundoplication is a surgery to help stop reflux (when food or stomach acid comes back up into the esophagus). A surgeon wraps the top part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus to help keep food in the stomach. Two common types are the Nissen and Toupet fundoplications.

A gastrojejunal, or GJ-tube, is a feeding tube that a doctor places in the stomach. It goes through a gastrostomy tract and ends in a part of the small intestine called the jejunum. Feedings go directly into the intestines and bypass the stomach.

A GJ-tube is placed when your child has difficulty accepting feedings into the stomach.

A jejunostomy tube, or J-tube, is a small feeding tube placed directly into the jejunum, a part of the small intestine. It is placed during surgery through the belly wall.

Some kids may need a J-tube if they are not able to tolerate feedings into the stomach. A child may need both a G-tube and a J-tube.

The key members of your child’s care team are you and your child’s caregivers. You know your child best. Your role is to share information, ask questions, and learn how to care for your child’s G-tube.

Your care team may also include:

• Doctors, nurses, and advanced practice nurses
• Dietitians
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapists
• Social workers and psychologists
• Discharge planners and case managers
• Chaplains, child life specialists, and volunteers
• School and rehab staff
• Clinic assistants and clerical staff

Not every child will need every team member. If you think your child needs more support, talk to their doctor or nurse.