LB094 - GASTROINTESTINAL HORMONAL ADAPTATION DURING ENTERAL NUTRITION IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

LB094

GASTROINTESTINAL HORMONAL ADAPTATION DURING ENTERAL NUTRITION IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

C. M. Trovato^1,*, F. Scatozza¹, B. Mazzoli¹, A. Morelli¹, M. Caprarelli¹, V. F. Brindicci¹, T. Capriati¹, G. Bolasco¹, O. Porzio¹, A. Diamanti¹

¹Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy

Rationale: Enteral Nutrition (EN) interacts directly with the gut endocrine system to regulate appetite, gastrointestinal (GI) motility, and metabolic homeostasis. While hormones like ghrelin, CCK, GIP, glucagon and GLP-1 are central to these processes, endocrine adaptations associated with long-term EN and their impact on feeding tolerance remain poorly characterized.

Methods: Pediatric patients initiating or modifying home enteral nutrition (EN) were enrolled and followed longitudinally for at least 6 months. Clinical/anthropometric data, EN characteristics, and intolerance symptoms were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Circulating levels of ghrelin, GIP, GLP-1, glucagon, and CCK were measured using ELISA.

Results: Since November 2023, 24 patients (10 M, mean age:9.85 years, 19 fed by PEG) were enrolled, among which 7 completed the follow-up. Table 1 shows level of GI hormones at baseline. During the follow-up, ghrelin levels significantly decreased.(89.8 ± 5.7 vs 81.5 ± 10.9 pg/mL; p = 0.047). GIP levels showed a non-significant increase over time (48.5 ± 10.9 vs 54.8 ± 16.5 pg/mL; p = 0.707). The study is currently ongoing, with longitudinal follow-up that will include evaluation of GLP1 and CCK levels. Those complementary data will be included to the presentation at the conference.

Conclusion: Long-term enteral nutrition appears to modify gut endocrine profiles by decreasing ghrelin (reducing hunger drive) and increasing GIP. This supports the hypothesis that chronic tube feeding directly influences hormonal pathways involved in appetite, GI motility, and metabolic adaptation.

Disclosure of Interest: C. M. Trovato Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, F. Scatozza Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, B. Mazzoli Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, A. Morelli Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, M. Caprarelli Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, V. F. Brindicci Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, T. Capriati Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, G. Bolasco Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, O. Porzio Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health, A. Diamanti Grant / Research Support from: This study has been supported by Nestlé Health