Nasogastric tube feedings in children with high-risk cancer: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To avoid the cost and complications of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), this study was initiated to determine the feasibility of administrating nasogastric tube feedings in children receiving intensive chemotherapy (CTX) or bone marrow transplantation (BMT).


METHODS
Seventeen children (aged 2 to 19 years) were entered into the study. Continuous nasogastric feedings of a glutamine-supplemented elemental diet were administered during CTX and at the time of rehospitalization for fever, neutropenia, and mucositis.


RESULTS
Fourteen children were treated with CTX and 3 with BMT. Enteral tube feedings were administered for 216 days; each patient received a mean of 12.7 days. The tubes were generally well tolerated, and there were no instances of sinusitis or epistaxis. Six children received TPN in addition to enteral feedings. The hospital charges for the enteral feedings were $25,348, compared to $112,299 for the same number of days of TPN.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasogastric tube insertion and enteral tube feedings in children receiving intensive CTX or BMT can be accomplished with minimal complications and significant cost savings when compared to TPN.
Pietsch
J B
JB
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenessee, USA.
Ford
C
C
Whitlock
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003363:Cost Control; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005973:Glutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000191:economics; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012306:Risk; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology; D013714:Tennessee; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning / Q000009:adverse effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D005973:Glutamine