The prevalence of GI symptoms experienced in HEF children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and type of gastrointestinal symptoms experienced in paediatric home enterally fed patients and association with dietary intake
IRAS ID
321961
Contact name
Tracey Parkin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
An increasing number of children are dependent on enteral tube feeding; the delivery of nutrition through a tube into the stomach or small intestines. This is a lifesaving intervention but complications, such as unpleasant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, can occur. There is currently a lack of research on the number of children receiving enteral tube feeding at home who experience GI symptoms (prevalence) and the association between the symptoms they are experiencing and their nutritional intake. This study therefore aims to identify the prevalence of GI symptoms experienced in home enterally fed (HEF) children and how this relates to their nutritional intake. An online questionnaire exploring GI symptoms and nutritional intake will be sent to the parents/carers of children who undergo review with the HEF team at a District General Hospital (DGH) between March to May 2023; all participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate. For children who eat some food orally or have blended food through their tube, further nutritional data will be collected via an online nutritional analysis programme (myfood24®). It is anticipated that associations between prevalence of GI symptoms and nutritional intake will be identified. Gaining an understanding of prevalence would help clinicians, looking after HEF children, prioritise the development of evidence-based pathways of care for the most prevalent symptoms; using existing evidence or undertaking further research where evidence is lacking. Exploring the association between nutritional intake and GI symptoms will help identify associations where more in-depth study is needed.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0062
Date of REC Opinion
14 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion