Perception of Paediatricians and Families about Nutritional Supplements: Acceptance, Tolerability and Satisfaction in Malnourished Children (PerceptiONS Jr Study).

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a common situation in the Spanish paediatric population. Malnourished children may benefit from different strategies, including dietary modifications or nutritional supplements (NS). It is important to know the different factors that can influence treatment tolerance and adherence, and their impact on nutrition monitoring. OBJECTIVES: To explore the perception of doctors who prescribe nutritional supplements (NS) in children and to investigate different factors involved in tolerance and adherence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive observational study based on an ad hoc electronic survey designed to study doctors' perceptions of at least five of their children with NS and their families, subjected to outpatient follow up. Variables included were the socio-demographic variables of the doctors and children, nutritional status of the patients, amount and characteristics of NS (hyper-caloric oral with fibre (HOFF), oral peptide (OPF) and hyper-caloric infant (HIF)), route of administration, perceived benefits, satisfaction, palatability, adherence, and acceptance. RESULTS: 815 patients aged 0-16 years (mean 10.6 years; SD 7.8) were included. A proportion of 64% received HOFF, 16% FOP, and 20% HIF. A proportion of 84% received exclusive oral NS. Total daily calorie intake prescribed with NS ranged from 30-75% in 48.2% of cases, though it was significantly higher in children under 6 months of age. Improvement in overall condition, nutritional status and quality of life was observed in 82%, 79.5%, and 80% of subjects. Improvement in tolerance and digestive symptoms was reported in 83.5% and 72% of subjects. The degree of satisfaction and acceptance of NS was very good in 80% of cases, with taste being the most influential factor (82.3%). Adherence was adequate in more than 60%, and smell was the most significant feature in lack of adherence (55%). The flavour of the best-accepted supplement was chocolate (44%). A total of 97% of prescribing doctors would recommend the same formula again. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, prescribing doctors and families perceived an excellent benefit from the use of the prescribed formulas, improved quality of life, high satisfaction, acceptance, and adherence. The positive factors for adequate adherence were sufficient information about the formulations and their benefits, and continuity of care during follow-up. Prescribing doctors would recommend supplement use again given the perceived benefits and satisfaction.

Endoscopic balloon dilation in duodenal stenosis secondary to intestinal lymphoma in a heart transplant patient.

Intestinal lymphoma can appear as a result of a state of immunosuppression, secondary to the transplantation of solid organs. Treatment with chemotherapy can result in various complications such as intestinal stenosis due to fibrotic scar tissue, which is a complication barely described in the literature. We present the case of a 12-year-old male with a heart transplant, who was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma. After chemotherapy treatment, he developed 1-2 daily vomiting episodes as a result of intestinal stenosis due to fibrosis without tumor infiltration. Endoscopic balloon dilation was used and the symptoms were resolved without the need for surgical treatment.

Status of transition care in inflammatory bowel disease in Spain. Different medical perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: transition is important for a successful follow-up of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The objectives of the study were to establish the situation of transition in Spain and to identify needs, requirements and barriers to transition from pediatric and adult gastroenterologist perspectives. METHODS: a structured survey for self-completion using the REDCap platform was distributed via the Spanish Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP) and the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU). The questionnaire contained closed and ranked questions concerning transition, perceived needs, organizational, clinician and patient related barriers to transition. RESULTS: one hundred and forty surveys were answered, 53% in pediatrics (PG) and 47% from adult gastroenterologists (AG) among 90 hospitals; 66% of them were reference centers. There was a higher response from pediatricians (18.2%) versus adult gastroenterologists (8.3%) (p = 0.03). A structured transition program is adequate in 42.2% centers. A well-structured transition was perceived as very important by 79.5% of PG and 63% of AG (p = 0.03). A higher proportion of both groups identified inadequacies in the preparation of adolescents for transfer (43% and 38%, p = ns). The main deficit areas were the lack of knowledge about disease and treatment as well as the lack of self-advocacy and care coordination. Lack of resources, time and critical mass of patients were the highest ranked barriers by both groups. AG and PG (54% and 55%) highlighted suboptimal training in adolescent medicine. CONCLUSIONS: in Spain, nearly half of the centers have developed a structured transition program. Lack of training, time and insufficient resources are the main barriers for a successful transition.