Nutrition is integral to the care of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Better nutritional status is associated with improved pulmonary function. In some individuals with CF, enteral tube feeding can be useful in achieving optimal nutritional status. Current nutrition guidelines do not include detailed recommendations for enteral tube feeding. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation convened an expert panel to develop enteral tube feeding recommendations based on a systematic review of the evidence and expert opinion. These guidelines address when to consider enteral tube feeding, assessment of confounding causes of poor nutrition in CF, preparation of the patient for placement of the enteral feeding tube, management of the tube after placement and education about enteral feeding. These recommendations are intended to guide the CF care team, individuals with CF, and their families through the enteral tube feeding process.
Objective
In 2005 the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation recommended that children with CF maintain a body mass index (BMI) ≥50th percentile. Our study evaluated if gastrostomy (GT) placement increases the likelihood of reaching that goal compared to a standardized nutrition protocol.
Study design
Retrospective study of 20 children with CF ages 2–20 years with GTs placed from 2005–2010. Each case was pair-matched on age, sex, pancreatic status, BMI and lung function with a non-GT child with CF. Outcome measures included nutritional status and lung function at 6 months and 1 year.
Results
At baseline, mean±SD BMI Z-scores were similar (cases −1.19±0.60, controls −1.10±0.50; p=0.10). Cases had a significant 6-month increase in mean BMI Z-score to −0.29±0.84 compared to −1.02±0.67 for controls (p<0.001). By 1 year, the change in mean BMI Z-score was less different (cases −0.41±0.76, controls −0.71±0.51; p=0.07). Both groups had stable lung function. From exact logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for cases compared to controls of reaching BMI≥50th percentile was 9.70 (95% CI:1.05–484.7;p=0.04) at 6 months and 3.65 (95%CI:0.69–25.86;p=0.16) at 1 year.
Conclusion
Our study suggests that children with CF who receive GTs are more likely to achieve BMI≥50th percentile than matched children without GTs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.