Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026

A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
Investigation of feeding and nutritional problems related to long-term enteral nutrition support among children with
Sara Zaher1, Hadeel Aldhowayan1, Asmaa Almalki1
1Clinical Nutrition Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Enteral Nutrition (EN) is considered a standard intervention for patients with disabilities who cannot meet their nutritional requirements orally and are at risk for malnutrition secondary to eating difficulties. The current study examined common feeding and nutritional problems related to prolonged EN among disabled children.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, pilot study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between December 2023 and March 2024. Caregivers of children with disabilities were invited to complete an online questionnaire that gathered demographic data and explored feeding difficulties and challenges related to enteral nutrition.
Results:
A total of 41 caregivers completed the survey regarding their children. The median age (IQR) of disabled children was 3.2 (1.7-6.6) years. The most frequently reported feeding and nutritional problems in this cohort were constipation [median = 3.0, IQR: 2.0-4.0], weight loss [median = 3.0, IQR: 1.0-4.0], and gastroesophageal reflux [median = 2.0, IQR: 1.0-3.0].The regression analysis showed a statistical association between the indication for nutrition support and the subsequent detected feeding/nutritional problem, p-value<0.05. It also showed that the primary diagnosis (r = 0.459, p-value = 0.003) and health status (r = 0.458, p-value = 0.003) were statistically significant predictors of the frequency of reported feeding and nutritional problems among this children group. Additionally, the challenges experienced by the caregivers were statistically related to the type of EN provided (r = 0.491, p-value = 0.001).
Conclusion:
The study provided insight into the typical feeding and nutritional problems associated with long-term EN among children with disabilities. Identifying these issues can support early diagnosis and the implementation of appropriate nutritional interventions, ultimately helping to optimize growth and improve quality of life for these children.
More Related Videos
04:53A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
06:19Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
Published on: April 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Taste Buds and Receptors