The Multi-disciplinary Approach of Children With Feeding Difficulties and Tube Feeding in UZB Between 2000 and 2021

Launched by UNIVERSITAIR ZIEKENHUIS BRUSSEL · Nov 29, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This is an observational study at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel in Belgium that looks back at care for children with feeding difficulties who have needed or still need tube feeding. The researchers want to see whether using a structured, multi-disciplinary team approach (involving doctors, dietitians, and other specialists) helps kids grow better and eventually eat by mouth. They compare two time periods: before this team-based program started (2000–2009) and after it started (2010–2021). They plan to include about 330 children and will follow them up to two years to track growth (using weight-for-height), how many days they are tube-fed, and what share of their intake comes from the tube. They also look at whether children reach full oral feeding by two years and how much tube feeding remains after one year.

Who might be eligible? The study includes children from birth up to age 12 who have feeding problems and have needed or currently need artificial nutrition, and who were seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel between 2000 and 2021, and who can develop normal feeding behavior. Exclusions include not having at least six months of follow-up or if families decline participation in the multi-disciplinary approach. This is not testing a drug or device; it analyzes past care to see if the structured team approach improves outcomes. The study began in November 2023 and aims to complete around September 2024, and results are not yet available.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children consulting a pediatric gastroenterologist for feeding problems in UZB between the 1st of January 2000 and the 31st of December 2021 and receiving the label "feeding difficulties".
• • The infants have a pediatric feeding disorder that prevent them from feeding normally by oral means.
• • The infants need or have needed (enteral or parenteral) artificial nutrition.
• • The infants are aged between 0 and 12 years at their first presentation.
• • The infants are capable of developing normal feeding behavior.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have no 6-months follow-up available.
• • Parents refusal to enter a multi-disciplinary approach for the feeding problems of their children.