Children ages 2 to 6 who rely on feeding tubes can access an inpatient rehabilitation program at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to help them transition back to eating by mouth.
The 3-week program combines medical supervision with intensive feeding therapy for patients who have used a feeding tube for at least 6 months. RWJBarnabas Health reported that the multidisciplinary care team includes speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and a registered dietitian.
Children admitted to the hospital-based program undergo a structured reduction in tube feedings upon arrival.
This step aims to stimulate hunger and prepare the child for daily mealtimes.
Therapists provide intensive daily sessions to encourage oral intake while dietitians track patient weight and nutritional intake. The care plan also incorporates ongoing or newly prescribed medications designed to stimulate appetite.
Patients must meet specific clinical criteria before admission to the 3-week New Brunswick hospital stay. A child’s gastrointestinal doctor must approve the tube weaning process prior to enrollment.
Candidates must be between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. Additional requirements state that the child must have used a feeding tube for 6 months or longer.
Participants also need a history of at least 2 months of outpatient feeding therapy that yielded limited progress toward oral feeding.
Patients must also demonstrate the physical ability to safely swallow liquids and solid foods, whether in pureed or chewable forms.
Logistical requirements demand that a parent or primary caregiver stays with the child inside the hospital for the duration of the 3-week program. Families seeking admission must complete an initial feeding and tube weaning questionnaire to evaluate potential qualification.