The evaluation of life quality of families of children after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of families of children with feeding disorders after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. Patients and methods The study included 302 children, 132 girls (43.5%) and 170 boys (56.5%) in whom PEG was placed. Examined children were at the age from 7 months to 20 years, mean age – 9 years. For evaluation of the quality of life of patients with inserted PEG tube an original survey was used, where parents/carers answered 8 questions about the quality of life for both, the family and the patient, gastrostomy handling and rehabilitation. The results were analyzed statistically according to the age of the children. Results The placement of PEG tube facilitated lives of more than 70% of the parents/carers of sick children. However, life satisfaction of families increased only in about half of the analyzed cases. There was no correlation between the quality of life of families and the age of the children. In more than 65% of the patients the insertion of PEG tube had no effect on the number of child contacts with peers, relatives and friends. Also, over 20% of the parents/carers of the children stated that PEG tube made the physical rehabilitation of children difficult – most frequently in children under 7 years of age. Conclusions PEG is a common form of access used in enteral nutrition in children that significantly improves the quality of life of families, but often requires additional nutrition intervention.