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Continuous Vs Bolus Protein (Protein Regimen Outcomes) in Critically Ill Children (Kids in Distress)

Critical Illness | Dietary Protein | Enteral Nutrition Therapy | Pediatric Intensive Care

The goal of this intervention study is to evaluate the difference in nutrition status markers (weight and muscle mass) when giving dietary protein by continuous or bolus delivery in critically ill children ages 1-11y.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Primary: Bolus protein delivery will lessen the decline in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) z-score by 0.5 standard deviation in critically ill children aged 1-11y after 1wk. Ultrasound will correlate to MUAC.

Secondary: Bolus protein delivery will provide more (grams per day) than when provided continuously, therefore it is more likely to meet the minimum estimated needs.

Participants will have daily nutrition intake data collected, and undergo body composition measures (weight, MUAC and ultrasound of the upper thigh muscle) at day of enrollment, and MUAC/Ultrasound on follow up days 3, 5, 7 and 14 after the intervention started.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    1 to 11

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Children admitted to PICU over 1 year of age and younger than 11 years of life
* Expected to remain in the pediatric intensive care unit for longer than 72 hours
* Receiving standard pediatric formula via NGT/OGT/GT

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neuromuscular condition such as muscular dystrophy
* Admitted with home prescription for high dose steroids, receives growth hormone or insulin
* Enteral nutrition is contraindicated or if nutrition requirements are partially/fully met by parenteral nutrition
* Formula delivered into the small bowel (duodenum/jejunum, NJT/GJ)
* Those who require a highly specialized diet (E.g., large burns or metabolic diseases)
* Patients with a cow's milk protein allergy cannot safely receive a whey-based protein supplement

Study Location

BC Childrens Hospital
BC Childrens Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Kaitlin A Berris, BSc

[email protected]
604-875-2000
Backup Contact

Rajavel Elango, PhD

Study Sponsored By
University of British Columbia
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT06721923