Why do I need a gastrostomy?
The main reason for needing a gastrostomy is due to dysphagia or difficulty with chewing and/or swallowing and thus a failure to thrive. It may be because food and drink is going into the lungs with a risk of aspiration pneumonia. A gastrostomy may be needed where there is an inability to eat or drink enough food and fluid to maintain a good nutritional and hydrated status. Some people may need total nutritional support via a tube (where no food/drink is taken orally) where as other people may only need the tube to supplement their oral diet.
