What are the methods to manage oral aversion in a baby?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 7 months old daughter was on NJ tube for four months and now asked to change to G-tube. All her tests came normal including swallow study, abdomen ultrasound, etc., came normal. She developed oral aversion about one month back. When she was having bottles, she used to vomit all the food. We have tried PPIs and gastric emptying medications, which have not helped. Do you think we still need to do Gtube for her or what are the other suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You can use NJ tube in the meanwhile till the problem persists. With the growing age, eventually, things should be fine. The other options that you can discuss with your treating physician are:

1. Thickening of feeds.

2. Using Gaviscon (an antacid medication that creates a layer of foam above the ingested food and reduces the discomfort of the child).

3. Use of Mosapride (to be done as last resort).

The above medications must be given with PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) and gastric emptying medications for better effects. You can start intermittent oral feeding and NJ tube feeding for some time and observe how things go. The most important thing to monitor would be the child's weight and the bouts of vomiting or coughing she has. Maintain a diary for the same to monitor if the above techniques are causing improvement and worsening. (It may be a bit tedious but I assure you, you shall get a better idea of the direction where things are moving).