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Published on: September 20, 2019

Home enteral nutrition in children: a 14-year multicenter survey

A Diamanti1, V M Di Ciommo, A Tentolini

  • 1Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. antonella.diamanti@opbg.net

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is increasingly used for Italian children unable to eat orally. This study tracked HEN activity over 14 years, finding a growing number of cases and suggesting improvements in clinical management are needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Public Health Epidemiology

Background:

  • Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is crucial for managing pediatric malnutrition and feeding difficulties.
  • This study examines the clinical relevance and trends of HEN in Italy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the clinical relevance and temporal trends of home enteral nutrition (HEN) activity in an Italian pediatric population.
  • To analyze changes in HEN practices between 1996-2009.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a HEN-computerized database and medical/dietetic charts.
  • Inclusion criteria: patients under 18 years at HEN initiation and HEN duration over 1 month.

Main Results:

  • 757 HEN programs were recorded between 1996-2009.
  • Median age at HEN start was 2 years, with a median duration of 8.1 months.
  • Prevalence in 2009 was 3.47 and incidence 2.45 per 100,000 children (0-18 years).

Conclusions:

  • Epidemiological data indicate a growing number of Italian children requiring HEN.
  • Clinical management of HEN requires updates to meet recommended standards.
Abstract

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