G/GJ tubes: Troubleshooting tube feeding

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Learn about some of the problems that may occur with your child's feeding tube, why this is happening and what you can do to fix it.

Key points

  • You may encounter problems with when using a feeding tube, including problems with the tube, giving feeds or health concerns with your child.
  • If you cannot resolve the problem, contact the G tube resource nurse or your child’s doctor.

What are G and GJ tubes?

Gastrostomy tubes (G tubes) and gastrojejunostomy tubes (GJ tubes) are feeding devices. A G tube gives liquid nutrition, medication and other fluids directly into the stomach. A GJ tube gives liquid nutrition, medication and other fluids directly into the small intestine (the jejunum). Both G tubes and GJ tubes are placed in a surgical opening in your child's tummy (abdomen) called the stoma. The tunnel from the outside of the body into the stomach is called the tract.

Common solutions to problems with G and GJ tubes

Mechanical problems

Replace the balloon G tube

Gravity feeds stop running during the feed

Why is this happening? How to solve the problem
Roller clamp is not open enough Open the roller clamp more
Feeding bag or tube is blocked

Remove the feeding bag; empty formula from the bag and rinse with warm water

Flush the tube with a minimum of 5 to 10 mL of warm water

Remove and clean the extension set on your child’s tube

Replace the feeding bag and extension set

Replace the balloon G tube

Your child shifted position Monitor the feed while it is running

Pump beeps continuously/Pump gives you an error message/Pump stops unexpectedly

Why is this happening? How to solve the problem
Tubing is not properly placed in pump

Check the feeding bag tubing for kinks or disconnection

Restart the pump

The feeding bag or tube is blocked

Remove the feeding bag; empty formula from the bag and rinse with warm water; re-insert it in the pump

Flush the tube with a minimum of 5 to 10 mL of warm water

Remove and clean the extension set on your child’s tube

Replace the feeding bag and extension set

Pump malfunctions Call the help number on the back of your pump or call the store you purchased your pump from for assistance

Feeding bag or tubing are still blocked after rinsing

Why is this happening? How to solve the problem
Old formula or medication residues may block tubing

Clean with soap and water after each feed

Use white vinegar solution

Change the feeding bag

The Corflo PEG Y-adaptor is broken

Why is this happening? How to solve the problem
The adaptor is old, or became damaged during use Change the Y-adaptor

The clamp on the Corflo PEG tube is not working properly

Why is this happening? How to solve the problem
The clamp is damaged Replace the clamp on the Corflo PEG tube

The crossbar is too tight or too loose on the Corflo PEG or Corflo PEG J tube

Why is this happening? How to solve the problem
The crossbar was not adjusted properly or it moved

Gently slide the round piece above the crossbar and the crossbar itself up or down the tube

Do not pull on the tube

Your child is unwell

Vomiting

Why is this happening? How to help your child
There may be stomach or intestine problems (gastrointestinal condition, such as poor stomach emptying, reflux, obstruction or constipation) Talk to your doctor about treatment for reflux and/or constipation
Illness (gastrointestinal virus or respiratory illness)

You may need to slow down the feed rate or give smaller feeds more often

Give Pedialyte or Enfalyte if your child is not tolerating their regular feeds

See your child’s doctor if you are concerned about dehydration

Stomach is too full Stop the feed and vent the G tube
The feed was given too quickly

Reassess the rate of the feed

Use appropriate feeding method (bolus, continuous, gravity, pump)

Vent the G tube

Broken/leaking tube

Examine the tube for defects and/or breakage

Replace the balloon G tube if broken

Tube migration Check mark on G tube
Aspiration Elevate your child’s head during feed
GJ tube migration Call the G tube resource nurse

Diarrhea

Why is this happening? How to help your child
Formula intolerance Talk to your child’s health-care team about switching to a different formula
Gastrointestinal virus (stomach flu)

You may need to slow down the feed rate or give smaller feeds more often

Give Pedialyte or Enfalyte if your child is not tolerating their regular feeds

See your child’s doctor if you are concerned about dehydration

Gastrointestinal condition (short bowel syndrome, bowel inflammation) Decrease rate of feed until your child’s diarrhea disappears and slowly build back up to their usual rate
Your child suffers from side effects due to antibiotics Talk to your child’s health care team if your child has developed diarrhea while on antibiotics
GJ tube migration Call the G tube resource nurse or your G tube specialist
Last updated: August 1st 2019