Why does my child need a gastrostomy?
If your doctor feels it is advisable for your child to be fed through a tube, either as well as or instead of feeding by mouth, he/she will discuss this in detail with you. However, there are two main reasons why a TOF child may need a gastrostomy: • if a child is not managing to swallow enough for him/her to grow properly, a gastrostomy may be fitted, to meet the child’s nutritional needs. • if your child’s oesophageal atresia has not been ‘joined up’ so that he/she cannot swallow at all, then a gastrostomy will be required.
