Abstract
In recent decades, the patient survival is increased due to the advances
in intensive care units and development of modern mechanic ventilators.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to wean these children from
mechanical ventilation. Recently, after placement a tracheostomy tube,
they can support at home with non-invasive or invasive mechanical
ventilation. Most the children who need ventilation support at home have
neurological impairment. The nutritional issues and gastrointestinal
complications are well defined in critically ill patients, but there are
very limited studies on the children with tracheostomy. Considering that
majority of the patients has neuromuscular disorders, the nutritional
and gastrointestinal problems of the children with tracheostomy are
discussed, in the light of the knowledge on critically ill patients.
Key words: Children; constipation; feeding; gastroesophageal
reflux; gastrointestinal; mechanical ventilation; nutrition;
tracheostomy.