Common questions our doctors are asked
How can I stop my baby from trying to pull the NGT out?
The NGT will be firmly secured with tape, to the side of your child's face, to reduce the risk of them pulling it out. It can be secured behind their neck so that it doesn't dangle in front of them. Occasionally, children will have mittens put on, so that they can't grab at the tube and risk
dislodging it.
If my child needs to have an NGT for a long time, are there
any risks or side effects I should know about?
Some children with long-term NGTs can develop an aversion to eating food and drinking fluids orally. Your child can work with a speech therapist to relearn these skills and ensure safe, enjoyable eating and drinking.
Another side effect can be rash or irritation due to the tape holding the NGT in place. Talk to the medical or nursing staff if this happens. There are several things that can be done to avoid this rash or irritation, including the use of a steroid cream, using an adhesive remover
when removing the tape, and swapping the side the tape is on.