Factors affecting clinical outcome in gastrostomy‐fed children with cystic fibrosis

In order to assess the effects of gastrostomy feeding on nutritional status, respiratory function, and survival in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), we studied all patients undergoing gastrostomy between 1989–1997 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Clinical information was collected from medical records, including serial measurements of weight‐for‐age standard deviation scores (WAZ) and forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (percent predicted). Measurements were compared for 2 years before and 2 years after gastrostomy placement. Data on gastroesophageal reflux (GER), adherence to the gastrostomy feeding program, and sputum culture were also assessed. Of 37 children (22 male; mean age, 11.6 ± 4.8 years; range, 3–20), 11 died during the study period (7 female, 4 male). Female patients were more likely to die within 2 years of gastrostomy placement (OR = 3.9; 95% CI, 0.72–23.2; P = 0.07). Mortality was significantly associated with a WAZ score <−2 (OR = 10.7; 95% CI, 1.07–466.6; P = 0.02) and predicted FEV1 <50% (OR = 10.8; 95% CI, 1.07–512.9; P = 0.02) at time of gastrostomy. Patients with clinical evidence of GER (n = 11) had significantly lower weight gain after gastrostomy (delta WAZ, −0.32 ± 0.26 vs. 0.03 ± 0.39; P = 0.03). In conclusion, the presence of advanced lung disease, GER, and female gender were factors associated with a poor clinical outcome after gastrostomy placement. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:324–329. © 2004 Wiely‐Liss, Inc.