Nutritional quality and osmolality of home-made enteral diets, and follow-up of growth of severely disabled children receiving home enteral nutrition therapy

J Trop Pediatr. 2010 Apr;56(2):127-8. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmp033. Epub 2009 May 19.

Abstract

This study evaluated the nutritional quality of home-made enteral diets and their effect on growth parameters. Thirty pediatric patients receiving only homemade enteral diets were enrolled. Samples of milk-based (MB) and soup-based (SP) feeds were taken for chemical analyses. The children's anthropometric indexes were assessed. In the MB, the measured values for the macronutrients and energy corresponded to approximately 70% of the prescribed values. Conversely, the SP measured values corresponded to less than 50% of the prescribed values, except for carbohydrate. The prevalence of underweight was 30% (9/30) at the time of entry into home nutritional therapy and declined to 20% (6/30) at the time of the study (p = 0.007). Stunting increased throughout the follow up, from 30% (9/30) to 53% (16/30; p = 0.511). Obesity prevalence fell from 17% (4/23) to 9% (2/23; p < 0.001). Despite their inconsistent levels of macronutrients and energy, home-made enteral diets had no negative effect on the patients' weights.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Body Weight
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enteral Nutrition / adverse effects
  • Enteral Nutrition / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Food, Formulated / analysis*
  • Growth*
  • Home Care Services
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Micronutrients / analysis*
  • Nutritional Status
  • Nutritional Support
  • Osmolar Concentration

Substances

  • Micronutrients