Meals are more than nutrition for children with a malignant or non-malignant disorder with a gastrostomy tube: A qualitative study

Journal article, 2024

Purpose: To elucidate mealtime experiences of children hospitalized with a malignant or severe non-malignant disorder —and their parents—after a gastrostomy tube insertion.
Methods: A qualitative design involving a child-centred care approach was used. Parents of children aged 1–18 years old who had received a gastrostomy tube during treatment for a malignant or non-malignant disorder were included, as were the children themselves when aged 5–18 years old. Semi-structured interviews with 21 families were carried out and a thematic analysis performed.
Results: The findings were presented in four themes: changed meal conditions, a troublesome sensory dimension, aggravating obstacles and solving the unmanageable. Hospitalization involves challenges regarding environmental aspects, hospital food and side effects, contributing to impaired nutritional intake and aggravated mealtime situations.
Conclusions: Hospital environment and hospital food have a profound impact on children's nutritional intake and mealtime situations. In addition, sensory aspects and side effects aggravate the child's motivation to eat, resulting in demanding meals. The families described a gastrostomy tube as a valuable strategy for improving mealtime situations.