Feeding Disorders

The investigators are conducting a 16 week multiple cross-over study (N-of-1 trial) comparing two blenderized tube feeds varying in viscosity in 40 children.

This study aims to study the effect of lactase enzyme in preventing feeding intolerance in preterm neonates in neonatal intensive care unit at Alexandria University Children's Hospital.

Postural control depends on the central integration of vestibular, visual, and somatosensory inputs and the integrity of the neural efferent motor pathway, which continuously provides postural adjustments to environmental and body position changes. It is considered a complex skill and involves the integration of movement strategies necessary for maintaining balance. Decreased postural control can induce instabilities that affect the performance of daily activities and increase the risk of falls. Decreased postural control can be linked to fluctuations in body weight: significant weight gain or loss, in fact, can induce musculoskeletal adaptations , which contribute to postural and motor alterations . In Italy, approximately 3 million people are affected by Feed and Eating Disorders (FED), which include, among others, anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and uncontrolled eating disorder (UED). There are works in the literature highlighting that both anorexic and obese patients present with impaired postural control and, consequently, reduced balance.

Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDss) affect children with age-inappropriate oral intakes lasting at least 2 weeks, associated with medical, nutritional, psychosocial or feeding skills dysfunction. Feeding is a complex function involving the digestive tract, and different structures. It evolves throughout the child's development. It involves the caregiver-child relationship. Dysfunction of one or more of these systems may be the cause of pediatric feeding disorders. PFDs affect 25% of children, 5% with severe forms. PFDs can have severe nutritional consequences. They often cause malnutrition, even undernutrition, and sometimes overweight.