Factors associated with peptide-based formula prescription in a pediatric intensive care unit

There is no evidence-based consensus on the use of peptide-based formulas for critically ill children. The present study aimed to identify the factors associated with the choice of peptide-based formulas in the first enteral nutrition prescription for critically ill children and to compare the direct costs of the enteral formulas used in a pediatric intensive care unit.

In a prospective study, children admitted to the intensive care unit and receiving tube feeding for ≥48 hours were evaluated. The potential exposure variables for the use of peptide-based formulas as the first nutrition prescription were age, sex, malnutrition, sepsis/septic shock, fasting period >2 days, use of α-adrenergic drugs before initiating first diet, and the revised Pediatric Index of Mortality score. A direct cost comparison of prescribed formulas was performed.

Of 291 patients included, 85 (29.2%) were given peptide-based formulas in the first nutrition prescription. This choice was independently associated with malnutrition (odds ratio [OR] 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60%-5.39%; P < 0.01), fasting period >2 days (OR 3.46; 95% CI 1.93%-6.20%; P < 0.01), and use of α-adrenergic drugs (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.24%-4.31%; P < 0.01). Peptide-based formula costs were up to 10 times higher than standard polymeric formula costs.

The choice of peptide-based formula as the first enteral nutrition prescription is associated with the greater severity of patients' clinical status-patients receiving α-adrenergic drugs, those who are malnourished, and those with longer fasting periods. These prescriptions engender costs higher than those associated with standard polymeric formula.