Tube Feeding
- Tube feeding, also known as enteral nutrition, is a way of providing nourishment to the body when a person is unable to eat or drink, or cannot eat or drink enough. There are different types of feeding tubes that deliver nutrition directly into the stomach or small intestine. Blended foods, breastmilk, formula, liquids, medicine and water may be given through a feeding tube. A doctor will determine what type of tube is required based on the person's needs. Common feeding tubes are:
- A nasogastric tube - often called an NG tube. This tube is inserted through the nose and runs down to the stomach. It is usually used for short term tube feeding.
- A nasojejunal tube - often called an NJ tube or Transpyloric (TP). This tube is inserted through the nose and runs through the stomach and down to the jejunum (small intestine).
- A gastrostomy tube - sometimes called a G tube. This tube is inserted into the stomach through a small opening made in the abdominal wall. They include a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) and low profile device/button (balloon and non-balloon).
- A jejunal or jejunostomy tube/button (skin level device) – sometimes called a J tube. This tube is inserted into the jejunum (small intestine) through a small opening in the abdominal wall.
- A gastrojejunal or gastro-jejunostomy tube/button (skin level device) – sometimes called a G-J tube. This is a longer tube inserted through the gastrostomy opening and passed down into the jejunum (small intestine).
The feed can be delivered into the feeding tube by pump, gravity drip bag or syringe.
This information has been sourced from The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Read fact sheets on tube feeding on their website here.
Reasons for Tube Feeding
There are many reasons why babies, children and adults may require a feeding tube. The medical conditions that can lead to feeding difficulties where tube feeding is needed, are varied, and many of them aren’t visible.
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