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Home enteral nutrition in children: a 10 year experience with 304 pediatric patients

C Pedrón-Giner1, C Calderón, A Martínez-Zazo

  • 1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain. cpedron.hnjs@salud.madrid.org

Nutricion Hospitalaria
|March 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Home enteral nutrition is increasingly used for pediatric patients, often starting at a young age. Treatment characteristics vary significantly based on the child's specific pathology, highlighting the need for tailored strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is a growing therapeutic option for pediatric patients.
  • Understanding the characteristics of children requiring HEN is crucial for optimizing care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the profile of pediatric patients necessitating home enteral nutrition.
  • To identify key demographic and clinical factors influencing HEN in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients (<18 years) receiving HEN between January 1995 and December 2004.
  • Data collected included age, indications for HEN, access method, infusion regimen, and formula type.

Main Results:

  • 304 pediatric patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 4.02 years at treatment initiation; 28% were under 1 year old.
  • Major indications included oncological (29.9%) and digestive diseases (27.6%).
  • Nasogastric tubes were common (71.7%), with overnight infusion preferred (51%); polymeric formulas were frequently used (62.5%).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients often commence home enteral nutrition at a young age.
  • The specific pathology significantly influences the approach to HEN, including age of initiation, access, and feeding regimen.
  • Characterizing the pediatric HEN patient profile is essential for developing effective and individualized nutritional support strategies.
Abstract

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