Recipient organisationNIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre
NIHR supportRecorded as supported by this research centre
PeriodJan 2025 — Dec 2025
In plain English
AI plain-English summary
Twenty-five children who rely on tube feeding will test a new oral nutritional supplement made from food blends, tracking their digestive comfort and willingness to drink it over 28 days. Many children with conditions such as short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or feeding intolerances cannot tolerate standard liquid formulas—they experience bloating, pain, or vomiting. This forces families to use homemade blended diets, which carry risks of inconsistent nutrition and bacterial contamination. The study addresses a specific gap: no rigorous data exist on how well a commercially produced, shelf-stable food-blend supplement is tolerated by children who need tube feeding. If the supplement proves acceptable—meaning children experience few gastrointestinal side effects, drink it consistently, and find it palatable—it could give clinicians and families a safer, more reliable alternative to homemade blends. That would simplify daily care for thousands of UK children with complex digestive problems and reduce the burden on parents who currently spend hours preparing and sterilising tube feeds. The study does not test whether the supplement improves growth or health outcomes; it focuses solely on whether children will actually consume it without discomfort.
View original technical description
Gastrointestinal tolerance describes the ability of the digestive system, including the stomach, small intestine and large intestine to function smoothly, accept and process food comfortably and absorb nutrients from food or formula without causing discomfort or adverse reactions. There are several factors that can affect the tolerance of the digestive system. These include structural abnormalities or malabsorption issues, caused by any of the following conditions: short bowel syndrome? intractable malabsorption? preoperative preparation of undernourished patients? inflammatory bowel disease? total gastrectomy? dysphagia? bowel fistulae? feeding intolerances, developmental disabilities and disease related malnutrition.Patients with gastrointestinal tolerance problems require nutritional support strategies such as bolus tubes feed. This is because they can significantly impact an individual’s ability to consume adequate nutrition.This study is a single arm, prospective, multi-centre study that will include twenty five(25) participants (children only) who require oral tube feed with food blend for their dietary management. Compleat blends that were developed by Nestle Health Science will be used.The study will evaluate the gastrointestinal tolerance and compliance of the oral tube feed over a period of 28 days. Participants will receive oral tube feed alongside or instead of their usual feed or home-made blended diet.Participants will be asked to complete a daily diary and a short questionnaire to record information. The recruitment period will be 12 months.
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