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G-Tube Care

Urgent Issues

Call Pediatric Surgery at (585) 275-4435 if your child's tube has been in for less than 3 months

Call Pediatric Gastroenterology/GI at (585) 275-2647 if your child's tube has been in for longer than 3 months

For these issues:

  • The tube falls out less than 3 months after surgery
  • Your child has a temperature higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit and the wound looks different
  • Your child is throwing up green (bilious) output
  • Your child continues to throw up with feeds AND has fewer wet diapers or urine output

Non- Urgent Issues

Many complications do not require a trip to the Emergency Department. See the troubleshooting guide.

Granulation Tissue

Granulation Tissue

Skin Infection at G-tube site

Skin Infection

Yeast Infection

Yeast Infection

  • Granulation Tissue
  • Skin Infection
  • Leaking Around G-tube Site
  • G-tube is Clogged
  • Yeast Infection

What is a Gastrostomy Tube or G-Tube?

A gastrostomy tube (also called a G-tube) is a soft tube that is placed into your child’s stomach through a small incision (cut) in their belly. The G-tube supplies nutrition, fluids, and medicines that your child needs to grow and gain weight.

The G-tube can stay in place as long as your child needs it. If your child’s health improves, we can remove the G-tube at a later time.

When is a G-Tube Needed

Children may need G-tubes for a many reasons, including:

  • Swallowing or sucking problems. Such problems might be the result of premature birth (being born too early), an injury, a developmental delay, or other condition. Developmental delay is when your child is not progressing at the same rate as other children the same age.
  • Growing more slowly than normal or having trouble gaining weight.
  • Congenital (present at birth) problems of the mouth, stomach, intestines, or esophagus (the part of your body that carries food or liquid from your throat to the stomach).
  • Medical conditions that require more calories than a child can take in by mouth.
  • Extreme problems taking medicines.

Learn more about what to expect if your child needs a G-tube.

Types of G-Tubes