Cerebral Palsy – what the guidelines tell us and a case study using a formula with food-derived ingredients

A Retrospective Study Join the discussion on this retrospective study results and get more in-depth data on the outcome measures. INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY. Compleat paediatric is a food for special medical purposes for use under medical supervision.

This real-world evidence study explores the results from a multi-centre retrospective study of children who have switched to a tube feed containing food-derived ingredients. Read the publication, or watch our webinar where speakers discuss the positive outcomes and the potential impact they might have on local guidelines or day to day clinical practice.

Information for healthcare professional use onlyThis presentation by Dr Graeme O’Connor, research dietitian, discusses the effects of a low-energy, partially hydrolysed enteral formula on children with severe neurological impairments, aimed at managing weight gain and gastrointestinal symptoms.Graeme shared an overview of a multicentre retrospective study conducted in the UK regarding nutritional needs for children with neurological impairments.The use of a low-energy, partially hydrolysed formula aimed to manage weight gain while maintaining micronutrient levels. Thus, helping to overcome challenges with using standard concentration enteral formulas and weight gain in this vulnerable patient group.Graeme also discusses children in this cohort who experience greater gastrointestinal symptoms, complicating nutritional intake and weight management.Results of this study indicated improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms and controlled weight gain following the formula switch.Graeme shares the importance of recognising the impact on the health economics of simplifying feeding processes for families managing complex dietary needs.Watch the full presentation to learn more about the use of low-energy, partially hydrolysed enteral formula for children with severe neurological impairments.To learn more about nutritional considerations for children with neurological impairment, watch this webinar.

Information for Healthcare Professional Use OnlyThe video with Stephanie Wakefield, specialist dietitian, discusses the nutritional challenges faced by a patient undergoing enteral feeding post-oesophagectomy, highlighting complications and dietary adjustments throughout his recovery journey.Highlights of this video case study include:The patient experienced significant complications post-surgery, including delayed feeding and extensive weight loss.Dietary management included transitioning from high-energy feeds to peptide feeds due to gastrointestinal issues.A chyle leak was identified, complicating nutritional support and necessitating a shift to a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), containing peptide feed then a low-fat diet once he started taking oral diet.The importance of tailored nutritional strategies to meet individual patient needs and monitor overall health was emphasised.  To learn more about the clinical evidence for food-derived ingredients in enteral nutrition formulas, you may be interested in watching episode 2 of the round table discussion series. Followed by episode 3 on the practical considerations for the future of home enteral feeding including the use of blended diets.

Information for Healthcare Professional Use OnlyThe roundtable discussion is chaired by Stephanie Wakefield, specialist dietitian and she is joined by a panel of expert dietitians in the field of enteral nutrition.The roundtable discusses trends and challenges in home enteral feeding, particularly focusing on formula with food-derived ingredients and patient care impacts.Highlights of the panel discussion include:Changing Practices: The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of home enteral feeding, emphasising the increased use of formula with food-derived ingredients in medical nutrition.Discharge Challenges: Participants note difficulties in patient discharges due to limited nursing home options for Nasogastric (NG) tube patients, leading to prolonged hospital stays.Parental Role: Parents play a crucial role in managing children’s feeding solutions, often blending food to meet dietary needs and improve symptoms.Cost Considerations: Budget constraints and the costs of blended diets and formulas with food-derived ingredients present significant challenges for families and healthcare providers.Future Preparations: The roundtable anticipates increasing adult patients transitioning from paediatric services, necessitating preparation for blended diets and food-derived feeds.This roundtable discussion is part of a 3-part video series.  Watch episode 2 of the series on the clinical evidence for formula with food-derived ingredients in medical nutrition.Episode 3 of the series discusses the future of home enteral tube feeding. Chairperson: Stephanie Wakefield, Specialist Upper GI Dietitian and Lecturer in Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, Newcastle UniversitySpeakers: Adrian Gilson, Band 7 Community Nutrition Support DietitianJamie Leung, Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust, Department of PaediatricsKaren Voas-Wootton, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Adult Team LeadKirsty Capper, Chester Adult Community, Adult Team LeadHannah Meanwell, Nottingham Hospital, Adult HEF Dietitian

Information for Healthcare Professional Use OnlyWatch the roundtable discussion chaired by specialist dietitian, Stephanie Wakefield and a panel of expert home enteral feeding dietitians. The discussion explores practical considerations for home enteral feeding, focusing on the economic challenges, the impact of blended diets, and the need for improved patient information.Highlights of the roundtable discussion include:Economic difficulties limit access to blended diets, especially for families affected by the cost-of-living crisis.Nutritional recommendations may include expensive ingredients, creating additional financial burdens for patients.Transitioning from standard feeds to blended diets can be challenging due to costs and the need for specialised equipment.Patients often benefit psychologically from having options, underscoring the importance of choice in feeding methods.A lack of robust patient information resources necessitates better support and collaboration among healthcare professionals.This roundtable discussion is part of a series, watch episode 1 and episode 2 to learn more about blended diets and enteral nutrition. Chairperson:Stephanie Wakefield, Specialist Upper GI Dietitian and Lecturer in Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, Newcastle UniversitySpeakers:Adrian Gilson, Band 7 Community Nutrition Support DietitianJamie Leung, Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust, Department of PaediatricsKaren Voas-Wootton, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Adult Team LeadKirsty Capper, Chester Adult Community, Adult Team LeadHannah Meanwell, Nottingham Hospital, Adult HEF Dietitian

Information for Healthcare Professional Use OnlyIn this video, paediatric dietitian, Kathryn Simpson, discusses her positive experiences with Peptamen Junior 1.5 oral nutritional supplement in a clinical trial involving paediatric patients.Highlights of the video include:Overview of an acceptability and tolerability trial for the Peptamen Junior 1.5 supplement, aiming to improve patient feeding tolerance and weight gain.Case studies of trial participants showed significant benefits, including increased oral intake and decreased reliance on tube feeding for patients with complex medical needs.Eight families participated in the trial demonstrating patient acceptance, no adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, and improved quality of life.Families expressed eagerness for the product’s availability, highlighting its potential to transform nutritional support for children.Acceptability and tolerability trials are an important step in demonstrating clinical effectiveness and safety of products for enteral nutrition.Note: Peptamen Junior 1.5 is a Food for Special Medical Purposes for the dietary management of disease related malnutrition in patients with malabsorption and/or maldigestion. Must be used under medical supervision.

These guidelines were written by Marie Watson, specialist home enteral feeding dietitian in Sheffield Children’s (NHS) Foundation Trust, to provide advice in relation to the safe risk assessed process for preparation, storage, and administration of blended diet via a Gastrostomy button. Marie has given Nestlé Health Science permission to share her resource with other Healthcare Professionals following her presentation on a recent webinar ‘Emerging Trends in Blended Diets, One Year On – Evidence and Clinical Practice’. 

Learn how to develop a structured, evidence-based approach to support blended diets and enteral tube feeds with food-derived ingredients as first-line options for children requiring enteral nutrition.

This case study discusses the management of a male patient with chronic pancreatitis and persistent C. difficile infection, requiring full enteral tube feeding for the majority of his admission, due to an unsafe swallow. As malabsorption and osmotic diarrhoea were problematic, a change in enteral formula was indicated.

Nestlé Health Science’s Enteral Support Network held its latest Elevate Your Clinical Practice study day in London on Tuesday 17th June, 2025. Bringing together 17 dietitians from across England, the meeting was an opportunity to share practical and scientific perspectives on the role of fibre in enteral nutrition.