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Clinical nutrition, enteral and parenteral nutrition

Home enteral nutrition in children: a 14-year multicenter survey

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 53–57 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The practice of home enteral nutrition (HEN) represents a relevant aspect of the clinical management of both malnourished children and well-nourished children unable to be fed using an oral diet. The aim of this study was to estimate in an Italian paediatric population over a 14-year period (1996–2009), the clinical relevance and results over time of HEN activity.

Subjects/methods:

HEN-computerized database and medical/dietetic charts were evaluated for patients aged at start of HEN <18 years and HEN duration >1 month.

Results:

During the study period, we recorded 757 HEN programs. HEN began at a median age of 2 years for a median duration of 8.1 months. The complication rate was 14.8%. In the second period of the survey (2003–2009), the main changes concerned the underlying diseases requiring HEN, choice of formula feeding and access route. In 2009, the estimated overall prevalence of HEN was 3.47 and the incidence 2.45 per 100 000 inhabitants from 0 to 18 years of age.

Conclusions:

The epidemiological data of this study demonstrate that HEN concerns a growing number of Italian children and families. Some aspects of HEN clinical management should be modified to reach the recommended standards.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Maddalena Grisoni, nurse coordinator of the nutritional team of the ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital, for her relevant help in collecting the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy

    A Diamanti, A Tentolini, F Panetta, M S Basso, D Elia & M Gambarara

  2. Epidemiology Unit, ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy

    V M Di Ciommo

  3. Department of Clinical Nutrition, ‘Regina Margherita-S.Anna’ Hospital, Turin, Italy

    A Lezo

  4. Department of Paediatrics, Federico II University, Naples, Italy

    M I Spagnuolo

  5. Department of Medical Sciences, Paediatrics, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

    A Campanozzi

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  1. A Diamanti
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on behalf of the Italian Society of the Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP)

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Correspondence to A Diamanti.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Diamanti, A., Di Ciommo, V., Tentolini, A. et al. Home enteral nutrition in children: a 14-year multicenter survey. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 53–57 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.184

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.184

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