Food for Feeding Tubes: a BLended ENteral Diet Study (BLENDS) project
Chief Investigator: Professor Jane Coad
Co-Investigators: Dr Sarah Durnam (Paediatric Dietician, Nottingham Children’s Hospital)
Funder: HEE/NIHR Fellowship. Vygon (Industry grant).
What is the problem?
With the growing number of children and young people with complex care needs or life-limiting conditions, alternative routes for nutrition have been established (such as gastrostomy feeding). The conditions of children and young people who require such feeding are diverse but could relate to problems with swallowing (dysphagia), digestive disorders or neurological/muscular disorders. However, the use of a blended diet as an alternative to prescribed formula feeds for children and young people has been under-researched.
Project Overview
Work in blended diets in children and young people initially has included two rapid reviews of the literature (Coad et al, 2017, Phillips & Coad, 2023) which identified potential risks and benefits.
There is a demand for evidence-based, practical resources to upskill dietitians and other health professionals (such as Nurses, Doctors) in blended diet and ensure tube-fed individuals and their families receive effective, equitable and quality care. Coad and Durnam in CYPHR have undertaken national work on developing practical resources included a national website for healthcare professionals and families including undertaking national participatory stakeholder analysis.
This study, BLENDS, is novel and unique and have created a suite of evidence-based training package for UK professionals, enabling them to provide high quality support for parents and carers embarking on blended diet use.
These resources are being used by families and healthcare professionals to use a blended diet in a variety of care settings. Providing reliable practical support about blended diets will support all stakeholders.
Key Papers:
J Coad, A Toft, S Lapwood, J Manning, M Hunter, H Jenkins, C Sadlier et al., 2017. Blended foods for tube-fed children: a safe and realistic option? A rapid review of the evidence. Archives of disease in childhood 102 (3), 274-278
Phillips, G; Coad, J (2023) Blended diets for tube-fed children and young people: a rapid review update. Archives of Disease in Childhood. BMJ. Volume108, Issue 12. Blended diets for tube-fed children and young people: a rapid review update | Archives of Disease in Childhood (bmj.com)