Exploring Food Rejection Dispositions as Potential Risk Factors for Undernutrition in Hospitalized Children Aged 2 to 8

Launched by HOSPICES CIVILS DE LYON · Mar 18, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The MEDIC project is a clinical trial studying how children's food preferences might affect their nutrition while they are in the hospital. Researchers are particularly interested in children aged 2 to 8 years, as many of them struggle with undernutrition, which can make their recovery take longer. The trial aims to understand if some children are more likely to refuse food during their hospital stay, especially if they are picky eaters or hesitant to try new foods. This research is important because it may help identify why certain children do not eat enough while hospitalized, especially those from lower-income families who may face more challenges with food acceptance.

To participate in the trial, children must be between 2 and 8 years old and stay in the hospital for at least 48 hours. Families will fill out questionnaires about their child’s eating habits when they arrive at the hospital. Researchers will also track how much food the child eats during their stay. By understanding how food rejection relates to nutrition and social factors, this trial hopes to find ways to improve children's health and support better eating habits in hospitals.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • child aged between 2 and 8 years (2 years ≤ age ≤ 8 years)
• • child admitted to hospitalization for a minimum duration of 48 hours
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • regularly hospitalized children who come for routine check-ups, thus having repeated exposures to hospital meals
• • children with pathologies or treatments causing a significant reduction in their food consumption (perioperative fasting, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc.)
• • children with brain injuries, post-traumatic disorders, sensory deficits, digestive pathologies, severe organ failures (respiratory, cardiac, hepatic, renal)
• • children admitted to intensive care units