Publications by authors named "Alison McCarter"
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the risks and benefits of home-blended foods versus formula feeds in children with gastrostomy tubes, focusing on their effects on gastrointestinal symptoms and nutritional intake.
- Conducted across 32 sites in England, the cohort study involved data collection from parents and clinicians at 0, 12, and 18 months, tracking 180 children aged 6 months to 18 years.
- Results indicated that children on home-blended diets experienced fewer GI symptoms and achieved better calorie and fiber intake, while costs varied between the groups, suggesting similar safety and nutrition profiles for both feeding methods.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the risks, benefits, and resource needs of home-blended diets for children with gastrostomy tubes compared to formula diets.
- Conducted on 180 children aged 0-18, the findings showed that those on home-blended diets experienced better gastrointestinal health, with fewer symptoms and comparable complication rates to those on formula diets.
- The research suggests that home-blended diets are a safe option for gastrostomy-fed children and calls for better access to these diets through local clinical resources.
Aim: To identify child and parent outcomes relevant to having a gastrostomy, and to specify outcomes believed to be particularly salient to type of diet (formula vs blended food).
Method: Twenty parents, two children (both 12y), and 41 professionals (dietitians [n=10]; nurses [n=12]; paediatricians [n=12]; speech and language therapists [n=7)]) were recruited. Parents and children were interviewed; professionals participated in focus groups.
Introduction: Increasing numbers of children require having all, or part, of their nutritional intake via gastrostomy. More parents are using home-blended meals to feed their children, with many reporting beneficial effects such as improved gastro-oesophageal reflux, less constipation and less distress in their child.This study aims to identify the important outcomes of tube feeding in this population, compare the safety, outcomes and resource use of those on a home-blended diet compared with a formula diet and assess feasibility of long-term follow-up of children recruited to this study.
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