Long term tube feeding in patients with ALGS does not appear to impact height

A sustained increase in weight was noted after tube feeding for ≥1 year in patients with Alagille syndrome (ALGS) but no changes in height were found, according to data presented at the 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

In this retrospective study, the nutritional management of 80 children with ALGS was analyzed. Of the 29 patients (36.2%) who required nutritional interventions, 23 utilized tube feeding, 2 were administered total parenteral nutrition, and 4 utilized a combination of both.

Sufficient data was reported in 13 patients who received tube feeding for ≥1 year. These patients were matched with 10 control patients. At the initiation of tube feeding/control date, conjugated bilirubin, ALT, AST, GGT, and platelets were not significantly different between the groups. Height at initiation was significantly lower in the patients requiring tube feeding than in the control group.

An equation that factored in prematurity, age at initiation, and group found significantly higher Z-scores of weight growth rate in the first 6 months and no difference for HAZ growth rate.

Reference
Huysentruyt K, et al. Long term tube feeding in young children with Alagille syndrome: Does it impact height? Presented at: 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.