Effect of a fibre-enriched versus standard pediatric tube feed on the intestinal flora, gastrointestinal function and nutritional status of 7-12 year old children.

Children:

1. male and female subjects, aged 7-12 years, who are expected to need tube feeding for at least 8 months;

2. >12 years of age, but with an age-weight status comparable to 7-12 years (21-45kg) are eligible;

3. currently tube fed with a fibre-free formula for the last 2 (or more) weeks;

4. for whom tube feeding contributes to at least 50% of total energy intake;

5. who are stable with respect to their disease/pathological condition;

6. whose daily nutritional intake is stable during the study period;

7. written parental informed consent.

Children:

1. with Cow’s Milk Allergy, inflammatory bowel disease or bowel resection;

2. requiring a fibre-free diet;

3. on antibiotic therapy during the 2 weeks preceding the study;

4. using laxative therapy other than polyethylene glycol or paraffin oil during the 2 weeks preceding the study;

5. with acute diarrhoea during the 2 weeks preceding the study;

6. consuming more than 1 serving of yoghurt or fermented dairy product during the 2 weeks preceding the study;

7. receiving supplementation with Fe and/or any of the other monitored micronutrients during the month prior to inclusion;

8. with disease associated gastro-intestinal disorders (short-bowel disease, malabsorption, cystic fibrosis);

9. with known dislipoprotidemia;

10. participating simultaneously in another clinical trial.