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Signs of malnutrition in child tube fed with Pedia Sure

Sent to Health Experts August 9 2005 at 10:36 AM
   

My 2 year old grandson is on Pedia Sure--4 cans daily--per gastric tube and has experienced a frightening decline in his health since being on this product for 1 yr. He has no fat layer whatsoever and noticeable muscle wasting. The first 7 ingrdients in this product are cheap sugar, corn syrup products and oils--the 8th product is whey. Then a host of thickeners (no nutritional value!) He looks like a malnutrition victim from Africa. Has no one ever questioned the cheap, non-health sustaining ingredients in this product? He thrived on entero formulas. Has anything been published on the dangers of using Pedia Sure as sole nutrition for a child? It is dangerously lacking in quality protein from soy or milk. Both his mother and I are nurses and are astounded that this product is used as sole nutrition for tube fed children--but the nutritionist still insists in the use of this inadequate product!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value:  $5
Answer
August 9 2005 at 10:46 AM (9 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

You and your daughter have every right to say this is unacceptable, and insist on a different formula. It doesn't sound like the right one for your grandchild.

You are this childs voices. Keep talking until you get results.

I wish you all the best.

Kerry



Kerry, RN
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Kerry -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 4245 Health Accepts
35 years in Nursing: OB/GYN, Peds, Oncology, hospice, Ortho, Neuro, Addiction, Recovery, Geriatrics,
Reply
August 10 2005 at 11:35 AM (1 day later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: This answer does nothing to help. My daughter and I are both nurses and feel Pedia Sure is inadequate nutrition--we need to know what is a more nutritious tube feeding product for a two year old--hopefully from a nutritionist experienced in the nutrition of tube fed children. The answer given was not helpful or worth $5. Sorry!
                              XXXXX XXXXXXX R.N.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 10 2005 at 1:07 PM (1 hour and 32 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

OKay, I'm hoping this will help.

I work in a nursing home, and I asked the dietician today what she would do if she had your scenario with her child.

She recommends the products below:
http://www.novartisnutrition.com/us/productList?step1=cat&step2=1#3.%20Standard%20Formulas

They have pediatric formulations as well as adult and geriatric formulations. We use the geriatric formulations here.

The nutritional values are listed as well.

Hope that is a little more helpful, and perhaps another specialist will chime in as well.

The only other suggestion I have would be to contact the nearest childrens hospital and talk to the nutritionist there.

Kerry



Kerry, RN
Please click the accept button if this has helped you. A bonus is always appreciated as well.
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Kerry -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 4245 Health Accepts
35 years in Nursing: OB/GYN, Peds, Oncology, hospice, Ortho, Neuro, Addiction, Recovery, Geriatrics,
Answer
August 10 2005 at 2:43 PM (1 hour and 35 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hi Donna,

I looked into the possible dangers/side effects relating to the use of PediaSure and I found no publications. The only publications I found was relating to the dangers/side effects of formulas that are soy-based.

I did however did some other research and found some websites that may be useful to you and your daughter. I truly hope this helps.

Homecare for a child with Neurological Illness:
http://www.catsad.ca/homecare.html#nutrition

Undernutrition in children with Neurodevelopmental disability:
http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/N/n94-04.htm

Failure to Thrive:
http://www.emedicine.com/PED/topic738.htm

Different formulas:
http://www.allegromedical.com/dietary_supplements

Homemade tubefeeding formula-Two Dieticians Perspective:
http://www.mealtimenotions.com/GuestOpinion1HomemadeTubeFeedingFormula.htm

Is the PediaSure used "PediaSure" or "PediaSure Enteral"?

Also, I personally would change to a different Nutritionist. I could be wrong but that person is not doing their job.

My best wishes go with you,your daughter and grandson.


Edited by jojean43 on August 10 2005 at 2:51 PM

Joanna Martin
Joanna Martin-Ramirez -- Personal/Home Care Aide -- 100% Positive Feedback on 28 Health Accepts
CNA, Child developement in High school, Mother
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