Real food in enteral nutrition for chronically ill children: overview and practical clinical cases

Abstract

Background

Many feeding strategies may be used in chronically ill children on enteral nutrition. Interest is currently growing in real food-based enteral nutrition. A new tube feeding formula with real food ingredients is currently commercially available in Europe.

Case reports

By focusing on four clinical cases, this article illustrates the use of a tube feeding formula with real food ingredients in pediatric patients with various complex conditions. The formula contains a milk-based mixture of peas, green beans, peaches, carrots, and chicken, and provides 1.2 kcal/ml. It was offered under medical supervision and after full consideration of all feeding options.

Conclusions

Formula choice appears to be based on clinical experience and must be individualized to patients’ characteristics and needs. Real food-containing formulas seem to improve tolerance and feeding outcomes as well as promote family inclusion and mealtime engagement, but further studies are warranted.

Keywords:

• Blended
• blenderized
• children
• enteral formula
• enteral nutrition
• PEG
• real food

Transparency

Declaration of funding

The authors retained the editorial process, always including the discussion. There was no financial reward associated with writing the paper. Nestlé Health Science S.A. provided funding support for open access publication fees. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

All authors: conceptualization, data curation, investigation, provision of resources, supervision of patients, validation of results, data visualization, article writing, review and editing. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of this manuscript.

Acknowledgements

Authors thank the children and their families, and the healthcare professionals at the affiliation centers.