Abstract
Children who are unable to maintain an intake of energy and nutrients adequate to meet their needs for growth and maintenance of nutritional status require modifications in feeding. A new pediatric enteral product (PediaSure) was formulated to meet the nutrient needs of children 1 to 6 years of age in a volume that can be tolerated. We designed a noncontrolled, nonrandomized study to evaluate the suitability of this product in young children with respect to growth, protein status, metabolic responses, and gastrointestinal tolerance. Fourteen chronically disabled children were fed the study formula for 12 weeks, receiving daily at least 90% of their estimated energy requirements. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were obtained throughout the study period. Weight, weight for age, length, weight index, triceps skin fold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, and mid-arm muscle area all increased over the study period. Gastrointestinal tolerance and acceptance of the study formula were excellent; there were no clinically significant changes in the biochemical measurements. This study demonstrates that PediaSure is both safe and efficacious in the maintenance of the nutritional status and the promotion of growth in chronically disabled children who require specialized nutritional support. Children who are unable to maintain an intake of energy and nutrients adequate to meet their needs for growth and maintenance of nutritional status require modifications in feeding. A new pediatric enteral product (PediaSure) was formulated to meet the nutrient needs of children 1 to 6 years of age in a volume that can be tolerated. We designed a noncontrolled, nonrandomized study to evaluate the suitability of this product in young children with respect to growth, protein status, metabolic responses, and gastrointestinal tolerance. Fourteen chronically disabled children were fed the study formula for 12 weeks, receiving daily at least 90% of their estimated energy requirements. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were obtained throughout the study period. Weight, weight for age, length, weight index, triceps skin fold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, and mid-arm muscle area all increased over the study period. Gastrointestinal tolerance and acceptance of the study formula were excellent; there were no clinically significant changes in the biochemical measurements. This study demonstrates that PediaSure is both safe and efficacious in the maintenance of the nutritional status and the promotion of growth in chronically disabled children who require specialized nutritional support.
