Pilot Study of the Effect of Plant-Based Enteral Nutrition on the Gut Microbiota in Chronically Ill Tube-Fed Children.

Background: Dietary intake sharply impacts the structure and function of the gut microbiota, which is important for childhood health. However, little is known about the microbiota of children who cannot eat by mouth. Standard enteral formulas for supplemental nutrition are low in fiber and high in processed sugars and are commonly associated with gastrointestinal side effects.

Deconstructing Pediatric Blenderized Tube Feeding: Getting Started and Problem Solving Common Concerns.

Blenderized tube feeding has been steadily gaining in popularity among parents and caregivers of tube-fed children. Numerous websites and social media accounts are devoted to the topic, and the parent may be the one to initially broach the subject of implementing this type of feeding plan. This article discusses several different approaches to planning a blenderized tube feeding.