The Impact of Commercial Blenderized Formula on Caloric Needs, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Gut Microbiome in Children With Cerebral Palsy (CP)

The Impact of Commercial Blenderized Formula on Caloric Needs, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Gut Microbiome in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Single Center Randomized Open Label Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scale Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scale (GI-PedsQL) differences , to assess the differences in stool microbiome and stool metabolomics , to assess differences in salivary cytokine profile , to assess differences in weight change , to compare the use of antacid medications and to compare the use of laxative medications in patients on commercial formulas (CF) versus commercial blenderized tube feed (CBTF).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with CP receiving >75% of total daily caloric requirements from commercial formulas (CF) via a gastrostomy tube 12french or greater
• Patients' insurance covers a CBTF
• Diagnosis of cerebral palsy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receiving enteral nutrition by transpyloric feeds or jejunal tube.
• Receiving <75% of total daily energy requirements from a commercial formula
• Weight or weight for length or body mass index less than the 5th percentile for age or greater than the 85th% percentile for age when plotted on the cerebral palsy growth chart
• Rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease diagnosis
• Use of monomeric formulas