A vis？o da família sobre a experiência de ter uma crian？a gastrostomizada

gastrostomy is frequently used to treat children with growth and nutritional problems in chronic illness or incapacity. even though the health team considers that it is a simple procedure, a stoma performed for the child can have emotional and social consequences for family life. the aim of this study was to identify scientific evidence about the experience of a family with a child with gastrostomy. an integrative literature review was performed for the period from 2005 to 2011 and a search for articles in certain databases was conducted, 10 articles about the topic being selected. the findings were organized into four themes: the meaning of the diet for the parents carrying out the parental role; the family experience in interaction with health team; life after gastrostomy. the findings indicate that the family with a child with gastrostomy experiences emotional burden, mainly in the period preceding the procedure, due to the socio-cultural meaning of food for the family. the family needs information and support from the health team during each phase of the experience.