A NOCTURNAL NASOGASTRIC FEEDING PROGRAM IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS ADULTS

Fourteen adult patients (mean age 22.5 years, range 18-35) with cystic fibrosis undertook nocturnal nasogastric feeding for a mean period of 14.7 (range 6-18) months consuming an average of 1042 ml of a high en ergy feed on five nights of each week. Following this protocol all pat ients gained weight (mean weight gain 5.4 kg, range 2-17). For the gro up as a whole, lung function remained stable during the period of feed ing; however a significant correlation between improvement in lung fun ction and weight gain was demonstrated. Hyperglycaemia during feeding in this adult population was common (9/14, 64%) but was easily control led with insulin therapy.