Enteral-tube feeding as adjunct therapy in malnourished patients with cystic fibrosis: a clinical study and literature review.

Eight children (aged 8 mo to 13 yr) with cystic fibrosis (CF) and growth failure were given home nocturnal nasogastric feeding of an elemental diet for 3 mo and re-evaluated 3 mo after cessation of tube feeding. An increase in energy intake (p less than 0.05) resulted in increased serum transferrin (p less than 0.005), retinol-binding protein (p less than 0.05), and clinical scores (p less than 0.05) during the study. Height and growth velocity increased by 60% (p less than 0.05), and weight growth velocity increased by 63%. Arm-muscle circumference, triceps skinfolds, serum albumin, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and copper did not change significantly during tube feeding. Nocturnal feeding were safe and effective in promoting growth; however, most children with severe lung disease did not sustain the gains after cessation of tube feeding. Our findings indicate that continued nutritional support is needed to maintain the growth in malnourished children with severe lung disease.