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Eleftheriadis K, Madden AM. An exploration of the experiences and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards enteral tube feeding for adults living in the community following stroke. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024; 37:1050-1060. [PMID: 38778633 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend enteral feeding via gastrostomy should be considered for adult survivors of stroke with dysphagia who cannot eat or drink sufficiently for >4 weeks. Many people continue long-term tube-feeding via this route in the community where healthcare professionals contribute to their care and nutritional management, although little is known about their experiences of or attitudes towards enteral feeding in this situation. The present study aimed to explore the experiences and attitudes of healthcare professionals working with this patient group. METHODS Healthcare professionals were invited to complete a questionnaire devised for the study which comprised closed and open questions about tube-feeding including their patients' participation in feeding processes and mealtimes and how these might be improved. Responses to closed questions were analysed descriptively and free-text responses analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Fifty-seven participants met the inclusion criteria. They identified patients' quality of life (77% of respondents) and nutritional support (75%) as the most important aspects of tube-feeding. Good communication and training with healthcare teams and carers were considered important. Their patients' participation in tube-feed administration and mealtime involvement were described as variable and potentially beneficial, but both were related to patients' choice and health impairment. Blended tube-feeding was considered an option by 89% provided practical and safety conditions were met. CONCLUSIONS Participants' experiences of and attitudes towards tube feeding in adults living with stroke in the community in the sample in the present study are varied and focussed on individual patients' needs, safety and professional standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Eleftheriadis
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire and Therapies Department, North Middlesex University Hospital Trust, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Angela M Madden
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
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Fraser LK, Bedendo A, O'Neill M, Taylor J, Hackett J, Horridge KA, Cade J, Richardson G, Phung H, McCarter A, Hewitt CE. Safety, resource use and nutritional content of home-blended diets in children who are gastrostomy fed: findings from 'YourTube' - a prospective cohort study. Arch Dis Child 2024; 109:628-635. [PMID: 38129118 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the risks, benefits and resource implications of using home-blended food in children with gastrostomy tubes compared with currently recommended formula feeds. DESIGN This is a cohort study. Data were collected at months 0, 12 and 18 from parents and clinicians using standardised measures. SETTING 32 sites across England: 28 National Health Service trusts and 4 children's hospices. PATIENTS Children aged 6 months-18 years who were gastrostomy fed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The main outcome measure was the PedsQL Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales score. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, sleep (child, parent), dietary intake, anthropometry, healthcare usage, safety outcomes and resource use. RESULTS 180 children and families completed the baseline data collection, with 134 (74%) and 105 (58%) providing follow-up data at 12 and 18 months. There were fewer gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms at all time points in the home-blended diet group, but there was no difference in change over time within or between the groups. The nutritional intake of those on a home-blended diet had higher calories per kilogram and fibre, and both home-blended and formula-fed children have values above the dietary reference values for most micronutrients. Safety outcomes were similar between groups and over time. The total costs to the statutory sector were higher among children who were formula fed, but the costs of purchasing special equipment for home-blended food and the total time spent on childcare were higher for families with home-blended diet. CONCLUSIONS Children who are gastrostomy fed a home-blended diet have similar safety profile, adequate nutritional intake and lower burden of GI symptoms than formula-fed children. Trial registration number ISRCTN13977361.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna K Fraser
- Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
- Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | - Jo Taylor
- Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Han Phung
- University of York Centre for Health Economics, York, UK
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Bakewell C, Batra A, Beattie RM. Advancing the conversation around blended diets for gastrostomy-fed children. Arch Dis Child 2024; 109:605-606. [PMID: 38589202 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Bakewell
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Akshay Batra
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - R Mark Beattie
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Barry M. Blended diet in enteral feeding: current guidance. BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING (MARK ALLEN PUBLISHING) 2024; 33:S8-S12. [PMID: 38954445 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2024.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The practice of administering blended food via enteral feeding tubes has been growing in popularity in recent years. Concerns have been raised as this practice was perceived to increase risk of gastrointestinal intolerance, allergic reactions, nutritional insufficiency, tube blockages, and infection compared with using commercial enteral feed (CEF), the gold standard, as well as risk of litigation against the professional due to their support of practice that is not evidence-based. However, research has shown that the physical, social and emotional benefits from receiving blended diet may outweigh the previously suggested risks. Guidance has been updated to encourage discussions around blended diet while informing the tube-fed individuals, families and carers of potential risks, potential benefits, barriers, considerations for training, safety and contraindications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Barry
- Specialist Home Enteral Feed Dietitian, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust
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Fraser LK, Bedendo A, O'neill M, Taylor J, Hackett J, Horridge K, Cade J, Richardson G, Phung H, Mccarter A, Hewitt C. 'YourTube' the role of different diets in gastrostomy-fed children: Baseline findings from a prospective cohort study. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024; 66:755-764. [PMID: 37946550 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM To assess the risks, benefits, and resource implications of home-blended food for children with gastrostomy tubes compared with a formula diet. METHOD This prospective cohort study of children (aged 0-18 years) collected baseline data on gastrointestinal symptoms, nutritional intake, anthropometric outcomes, parent and child quality of life, and resource use. A propensity score-weighted generalized linear mixed model was used to compare children receiving a home-blended versus formula diet. RESULTS Baseline data were obtained for 180 children (2019-2021; 107 males, 73 females; mean age 9 years 7 months [SD 4 years 5 months]). Children receiving a home-blended diet (n = 104) had similar diagnoses and age but more lived in areas of lower deprivation and parental education was higher compared to the parents of children receiving a formula diet (n = 76). Children receiving home-blended diets had significantly better gastrointestinal scores than those receiving formula diets (B = 13.8, p < 0.001). The number of gut infections and tube blockages were similar between the two groups but with fewer stoma site infections in the group receiving home-blended food. Children receiving a home-blended diet had more fibre in their diet compared to children receiving a formula diet. INTERPRETATION Home-blended diets should be seen as a safe option for children who are gastrostomy-fed unless clinically contraindicated. Equality of access to home-blended diets for children with gastrostomy should be assessed by local clinical teams. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Children with gastrostomy receiving a home-blended diet had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms compared to children receiving a formula diet. Children with gastrostomy receiving a home-blended diet had no more complications than children receiving a formula diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna K Fraser
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
- Cicely Saunders Institute, Kings College London, London, UK
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Sciences and Population Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andre Bedendo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Mark O'neill
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Johanna Taylor
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Julia Hackett
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Janet Cade
- Nutritional Epidemiology Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Han Phung
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
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Oftedal S, McCormack S, Stevenson R, Benfer K, Boyd RN, Bell K. The evolution of nutrition management in children with severe neurological impairment with a focus on cerebral palsy. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024. [PMID: 38196166 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Nutritional management of children with severe neurological impairment (SNI) is highly complex, and the profile of this population is changing. The aim of this narrative review was to give the reader a broad description of evolution of the nutritional management of children with SNI in a high resource setting. In the last decade, there has been an emphasis on using multiple anthropometric measures to monitor nutritional status in children with SNI, and several attempts at standardising the approach have been made. Tools such as the Feeding and Nutrition Screening Tool, the Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment, the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System and the Focus on Early Eating and Drinking Swallowing (FEEDS) toolkit have become available. There has been an increased understanding of how the gut microbiome influences gastrointestinal symptoms common in children with SNI, and the use of fibre in the management of these has received attention. A new diagnosis, 'gastrointestinal dystonia', has been defined. The increased use and acceptance of blended food tube feeds has been a major development in the nutritional management of children with SNI, with reported benefits in managing gastrointestinal symptoms. New interventions to support eating and drinking skill development in children with SNI show promise. In conclusion, as the life expectancy of people with SNI increases due to advances in medical and nutrition care, our approach necessitates a view to long-term health and quality of life. This involves balancing adequate nutrition to support growth, development and well-being while avoiding overnutrition and its associated detrimental long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Oftedal
- Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Child Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siobhan McCormack
- Department of Child Development and Neurodisability, Children's Health Ireland at Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Richard Stevenson
- Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Katherine Benfer
- Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Child Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roslyn N Boyd
- Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Child Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kristie Bell
- Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Child Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Dietetics and Food Services, Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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