Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-27-2021

Identifier

DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05131-w; PMCID: PMC7913389

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although tube feeding routinely saves the lives of children who do not eat by mouth, chronic tube feeding can be a burden to patients, caregivers, and families. Very few randomized trials exist regarding the best methods for weaning children from their feeding tubes.

METHODS: The current paper describes a randomized controlled trial of an empirically supported outpatient treatment protocol for moving children from tube to oral eating called iKanEat. Specifically, we describe the methods of randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which includes a 4-week course of megestrol, the only medication used in the iKanEat protocol, to determine whether the addition of megestrol results in improved child outcomes. The primary and secondary aims are to assess the safety and efficacy of megestrol as part of the iKanEat protocol. The third aim is to provide critical information about the impact of the transition from tube to oral feeding on parent stress and parent and child quality of life.

DISCUSSION: This trial will provide data regarding whether megestrol is a safe and effective component of the iKanEat tube weaning protocol, as well as important data on how the tube weaning process impacts parent stress and parent and child quality of life.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT#03815019 . Registered on January 17, 2019.

Journal Title

Trials

Volume

22

Issue

1

First Page

169

Last Page

169

Keywords

Feeding problems; Megestrol; Randomized controlled trial; Tube feeding; Tube weaning

Comments

Grant support

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Publisher's Link: https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-021-05131-w

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