A randomised controlled trial of a micronutrient rich, high fibre, low-energy density formula for gastrostomy feeding in disabled children
Ly-Mee Yu and Ed Juszczak with Peter Sullivan (Oxford)
Previous studies suggest that around a third of children with cerebral palsy are significantly undernourished. An observational study that we recently completed demonstrated that gastrostomy tube feeding not only significantly increased children’s growth and improved their nutritional status, but also improved the quality of life of their carers, in part due to a significant reduction in time spent feeding. Unfortunately in some cases, due to low energy expenditure in these children, the proportion of body fat significantly increased compared to other disabled children fed by mouth.
This randomised trial extends this work to investigate whether a lower energy density feed will lead to restitution of nutritional status without an adverse effect on micronutrient status or body composition. Children with severe spastic quadriplegia who are eligible to have a gastrostomy inserted will be randomised to receive either 60% or 75% of the estimated average requirement for energy using a low-energy density, high fibre enteral feeding formula. Target sample size is 65. Recruitment commenced in September 2004
