Table 5.

Various feeding methods used in children.

	Oral feeding	Nasogastric feeding	Gastrostomy feeding
Clinical benefits	Simple to insert Relatively easy to feed	Presumed similar to gastrostomy tube, but minimal data specific to nasogastric tube delivery	Improved nutrition status Lesser mealtimes Easy for the care giver to feed the child Low chances of aspiration from above Better comfort, alertness, and mood of the patient
Clinical risks	Risk of aspiration from below Only liquid diet can be given, which results in suboptimal nutrition	Tube dislodgement Nasal damage from long-term use	Peritonitis, local abscess formation Tube blockage/dislodgement Peristomal leak Increase in gastroespophageal reflux
Quality-of-life considerations	Important sensory Experience Mealtime struggles to maintain adequate nutrition		Improved quality of life of caregiver Decreased stress on caregiver Increased family costs