FDA Warns of Strangulation Risk for Children Who Use Enteral Feeding Delivery Sets

The FDA has issued a warning about the risk of enteral feeding tubes to young children, noting that the tubing can become wrapped around a child’s neck and cause strangulation or death.

The agency noted that two toddlers died last year from strangulation by enteral feeding delivery sets and said it is also possible that some cases have not been reported to the FDA.

The FDA did not attribute the potential for adverse events to any specific manufacturer of feeding tubes.

“While the FDA believes that death or serious injury from strangulation with enteral feeding set tubing in children is rare, healthcare providers and caregivers should be aware that these events can and do occur,” the agency said.