Enteral Tube Feeding in Paediatric Mitochondrial Diseases

We investigated the effects of enteral tube feeding in Korean children with mitochondrial diseases. We performed a retrospective chart review of 68 paediatric patients with mitochondrial diseases on enteral tube feeding at a tertiary referral centre. The outcome of enteral nutrition was evaluated by decrease in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, weight gain, and increase in developmental quotient (DQ) among patients with data available. Among 68 patients, 56 (82%) were on gastrostomy and 12 (18%) were on prolonged nasogastric (NG) tube feeding. Decrease of GI symptoms was present in 37 of 48 patients (77%). Weight gain was present in 18 of 64 patients (28%) and was more prominent in the gastrostomy group (n = 17/54, 32%). Increase in DQ was similar between the NG tube and gastrostomy groups (total n = 10/48, 21%). Complications occurred in 42% (n = 5/12) of the NG tube group and 64% (n = 36/56) of the gastrostomy group. They varied in range, from mild to severe. Most complications were minor; there were 5 cases (9%) requiring gastrostomy removal or additional procedure and 2 cases (4%) of gastrostomy-related morbidity. Our results show that in paediatric patients with mitochondrial diseases, enteral tube feeding could help enhance quality of life by relieving GI symptoms, ameliorate growth failure and enhance development.