Ra. Henderson et al., EFFECT OF ENTERAL TUBE-FEEDING ON GROWTH OF CHILDREN WITH SYMPTOMATICHUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION, Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 18(4), 1994, pp. 429-434
Malnutrition and growth failure are frequent clinical consequences of
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children. Tube feeding
is a means by which to increase the enteral intake of nutrients. We e
xamined the effect of tube feeding in 18 children, median age 6 months
(range, 3-159). Tube feedings were initiated due to growth failure in
all, which was also associated with dysfunctional swallowing or aspir
ation in seven children and gastroesophageal reflux in two. Tube feedi
ngs were infused via nasogastric tube (n = 4) or gastrostomy tube (n =
14) and were continued for a median of 8.5 months (range, 2-24). Stom
a complications developed in three children with gastrostomy tubes; th
ese were the only tube-related side effect. Tube feedings were discont
inued due to noncompliance (n = 3), gastrostomy leakage (n = 2), intol
erance (n = 2), and death (n = 3). Anthropometric changes were evaluat
ed comparing mean standard deviation scores (Z) before and after tube
feeding. Tube feeding resulted in significantly increased weight for a
ge (Z, - 2.13 +/- 0.7 vs. - 1.46 +/- 1.4; p = 0.04), weight for height
(Z, -1.07 +/- 1.0 vs. -0.13 +/- 1.0; p = 0.004), and arm fat area (Z,
-1.75 +/- 1.3 vs. -0.62 +/- 1.2; p = 0.01). However, tube feeding did
not result in significant changes in height for age (Z, -1.93 +/- 0.8
vs. -1.74 +/- 1.6) or arm muscle area (Z, -1.24 +/- 0.9 vs. -0.57 +/-
1.2). Tube feedings effectively increased the weight of HIV-infected
children in this study, but they were not sufficient to correct linear
growth deficits.