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Gastric feeding in critically ill children: a randomized controlled trial
1Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Summary
Continuous versus intermittent gastric feeding in pediatric intensive care patients showed similar tolerance. Both methods resulted in comparable numbers of stools, diarrhea, and vomiting, indicating no significant difference in patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Nursing research
Background:
- Enteral nutrition via gastric route is common in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
- Limited research exists on children's tolerance of various gastric feeding regimens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare continuous versus intermittent gastric feeding regimens.
- To assess children's tolerance based on stool output, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial in an Australian PICU.
- 45 children were randomized to continuous or intermittent gastric feeding.
- Patient tolerance variables were recorded throughout the study.
Main Results:
- Groups were comparable in mortality scores, demographics, diagnoses, and medication use.
- No significant differences were found in study duration or formula volume per kilogram.
- The number of stools per day and prevalence of diarrhea and vomiting did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions:
- Continuous and intermittent gastric feeding regimens yield similar outcomes in pediatric intensive care patients.
- Further research and enteral feeding guidelines for critically ill children are necessary.