LB004 - A UK MULTICENTRE STUDY ASSESSING ACCEPTABILITY, GASTROINTESTINAL TOLERANCE AND COMPLIANCE OF A PAEDIATRIC BLENDED ENTERAL FORMULA ADMINISTERED VIA BOLUS GASTROSTOMY FEEDING

LB004

A UK MULTICENTRE STUDY ASSESSING ACCEPTABILITY, GASTROINTESTINAL TOLERANCE AND COMPLIANCE OF A PAEDIATRIC BLENDED ENTERAL FORMULA ADMINISTERED VIA BOLUS GASTROSTOMY FEEDING

J. Leung^1,*, S. Durnan², J. Evans³, M. Roos⁴, K. Simpson⁵, S. Saduera⁶

¹Dietetics, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, London, ²Dietetics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, ³Dietetics, University College London Hospital, London, ⁴Dietetics, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcester, ⁵Dietetics, Mid Cheshire Trust, Crewe, ⁶Nutrition and Health, Nestle , Crawley, United Kingdom

Rationale: Bolus tube feeding is increasingly used in home enteral nutrition. The evidence for commercially prepared blended feeds with food derived ingredients remains limited. The aim for the present study is to evaluate the acceptability, gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance and compliance of a paediatric enteral formula containing blended food ingredients administered via bolus gastrostomy feeding.

Methods: A multicentre, prospective UK study was conducted in children receiving gastrostomy feeding. Participants were transitioned to a commercial blended enteral formula and received bolus feeds over 7 days. GI symptoms (constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal distension) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using caregiver-reported outcomes. Acceptability and compliance were recorded, including prescribed versus actual intake. Ethical approval was obtained (HCRW Ref: 24/WS/0056; IRAS: 341165).

Results: Twenty children were enrolled (mean age 6.9 years; 55% male); 95% (19/20) completed the study. Underlying conditions included neurological (60%), respiratory (10%) and other diagnoses (30%). Compliance was 100% among completers, mean intake exceeding prescription (315 mL vs 300 mL). Overall, 47% (9/19) reported improvement in at least one GI symptom; 26% (5/19) had no symptoms pre/post intervention; 16% (3/19) no change; 11% (2/19) experienced a relative increase in symptoms. Stool consistency (26%) and vomiting (16%) improved.  Weight remained stable over 7 days and beyond, no clinical significant weight loss was reported at 28 days.

Conclusion: Overall, the blended enteral formula administered via bolus feeding was well accepted, showed high compliance rate and was able to improve GI symptoms in a proportion of participants. Larger, controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.

Disclosure of Interest: J. Leung Grant / Research Support from: Research Support from: Nestle Nutrition and Health, S. Durnan Grant / Research Support from: Research Support from: Nestle Nutrition and Health, J. Evans Grant / Research Support from: Research Support from: Nestle Nutrition and Health, M. Roos Grant / Research Support from: Research Support from: Nestle Nutrition and Health, K. Simpson Grant / Research Support from: Research Support from: Nestle Nutrition and Health, S. Saduera Consultant for: Working for Nestle Nutrition and Health