Medical Services

Tube Feedings

There are many reasons why a child may require tube feeding:

Gastrointestinal disease
Short bowel syndrome
Neurological impairment (for example, cerebral palsy, anoxic brain injury, severe seizure disorder)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Pulmonary disease
Cystic fibrosis
Congenital heart disease

The method of tube feeding will depend on the child’s needs and ability to accept the treatment. Listed below is an overview of the different types of tube feeding treatments:

Bolus Feedings: Bolus feedings are similar to a regular meal with the patient receiving larger amounts of food given over a shorter period of time, with several hours in between feedings.

Continuous Feedings: During continuous feeding, the tube fed formula is given slowly over a long period of time (usually 18-20 hours). This method is more easily tolerated than bolus feedings and is required with certain tubes.¹

Combination Feedings: Combination feedings combine both the bolus and the continuous feeding methods.

Whatever your child’s nutritional needs are, MKSA staff will work with you and your child’s physician to put together a treatment plan that will help them continue to thrive.

¹Axelrod et al. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2006; 30: S21–S26.