Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series

The aim of this case series was to evaluate the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of an enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients for pediatric patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Children (1–17 years) with (i) a formally diagnosed NMD and (ii) exclusive enteral nutrition were e...

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Main Authors: Valeria Dipasquale, Rossella Morello, Claudio Romano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Human Nutrition & Metabolism
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266614972500009X
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author Valeria Dipasquale
Rossella Morello
Claudio Romano
author_facet Valeria Dipasquale
Rossella Morello
Claudio Romano
author_sort Valeria Dipasquale
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this case series was to evaluate the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of an enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients for pediatric patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Children (1–17 years) with (i) a formally diagnosed NMD and (ii) exclusive enteral nutrition were enrolled. Patients received a nutritionally complete 1.2 kcal/mL enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients (peas, green beans, peaches, carrots, and chicken). Weight, body mass index (BMI), mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC) standard deviation (SD), and symptoms were assessed at the baseline (formula start; visit 1) and at 6 months (visit 2). Five NMD children with spinal muscular atrophy were included. Weight and BMI increased significantly after a mean of 2.5 months: weight −3.5 (V1) vs. −2.5 Z-score (V2) (p = 0.004) and BMI -3.8 (V1) vs. - 3 Z-score (V2) (p = 0.03). MUAC SD increased over the study period as well, even though the increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.231). All patients well tolerated the formula, and a relief from gastrointestinal symptoms was reported. The enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients may be a valid option in tube feeding management for children with NMDs. A small sample size and retrospective design limit the generalizability of findings. Further data (e.g., larger sample size, longer follow-up period, or different NMD subtypes) are needed.
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spelling doaj-art-94a10e63a15f4ac2a081d2a0237adffa2025-08-20T02:55:20ZengElsevierHuman Nutrition & Metabolism2666-14972025-06-014020030610.1016/j.hnm.2025.200306Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case seriesValeria Dipasquale0Rossella Morello1Claudio Romano2Unit of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G. Barresi”, University Hospital “G. Martino”, Messina, ItalyUnit of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G. Barresi”, University Hospital “G. Martino”, Messina, ItalyCorresponding author. Unit of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G. Barresi”, University Hospital “G. Martino”, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy.; Unit of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G. Barresi”, University Hospital “G. Martino”, Messina, ItalyThe aim of this case series was to evaluate the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of an enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients for pediatric patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Children (1–17 years) with (i) a formally diagnosed NMD and (ii) exclusive enteral nutrition were enrolled. Patients received a nutritionally complete 1.2 kcal/mL enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients (peas, green beans, peaches, carrots, and chicken). Weight, body mass index (BMI), mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC) standard deviation (SD), and symptoms were assessed at the baseline (formula start; visit 1) and at 6 months (visit 2). Five NMD children with spinal muscular atrophy were included. Weight and BMI increased significantly after a mean of 2.5 months: weight −3.5 (V1) vs. −2.5 Z-score (V2) (p = 0.004) and BMI -3.8 (V1) vs. - 3 Z-score (V2) (p = 0.03). MUAC SD increased over the study period as well, even though the increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.231). All patients well tolerated the formula, and a relief from gastrointestinal symptoms was reported. The enteral formula containing food-derived ingredients may be a valid option in tube feeding management for children with NMDs. A small sample size and retrospective design limit the generalizability of findings. Further data (e.g., larger sample size, longer follow-up period, or different NMD subtypes) are needed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266614972500009XCase reportNeuromuscular diseasesTube feedingChild
spellingShingle Valeria Dipasquale
Rossella Morello
Claudio Romano
Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series
Human Nutrition & Metabolism
Case report
Neuromuscular diseases
Tube feeding
Child
title Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series
title_full Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series
title_fullStr Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series
title_full_unstemmed Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series
title_short Formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs): A case series
title_sort formula with real food ingredients for tube feeding in children with neuromuscular disorders nmds a case series
topic Case report
Neuromuscular diseases
Tube feeding
Child
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266614972500009X
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