Early feeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is safe in children.

Most patients are fasted for at least 12 to 24 hours following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. In order to decrease the period of fasting, inadequate nutritional support, and hospitalization time, we began enteral feedings in 24 of 28 consecutive children, aged 4 weeks to 20 years, who were referred for PEG, 6 hours following the procedure. All patients received their full volume of feedings within 24 hours. Twelve of 13 outpatients were discharged in less than 24 hours. There were no complications related to early feeding and no complications that required discontinuation of feedings. Early feeding following PEG insertion is safe in children.