Abstract
Purpose: During the last few years, there has been an observed increase in the demand for blenderized tube feeding (BTF) in the outpatient setting among the caregivers of children suffering from chronic illnesses. This study aimed to assess the clinical and biochemical effect of BTF on children's general health and determine the psychosocial effect of this feeding type on their families. Patients and Methods: This monocenter, retrospective study was conducted at the pediatric department of Rouen Hospital, France, and included ten children receiving a blended diet via enteral feeding tubes. Data were collected from the patients' profiles and by interviewing the caregivers to evaluate the clinical effects of BTF and its psychosocial effects on caregivers. Additionally, patients' medical records were reviewed for their nutritional status by assessing anthropomcetric measurements and biochemical markers recorded during follow-up visits. Results: Ten patients were included (mean age, 6.2 years), and the mean BTF duration was 2.8 years. The patients were fed either homemade or commercial puree. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting improved rapidly after the introduction of blended food in six children (60%), where four experienced complete symptom regression and two showed marked improvement. Similarly, gagging and retching were alleviated in all cases. Diarrhea was alleviated in all cases, whereas constipation improved in three out of four patients. The families were satisfied with using natural BTF; however, caregivers cited the time taken to deliver blended food via syringe as a disadvantage. Conclusion: We observed an improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms after the use of blended feeding by gastrostomy. Additionally, BTF had a positive psychological effect on caregivers.