Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Apr 1;74(4):541-545.
doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003342. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

YouTube as a Source of Information on Blenderised Tube Feeding

Anna Walsh  1 , Omowunmi Bamkole, Konstantinos Gerasimidis
Affiliations
Free article

YouTube as a Source of Information on Blenderised Tube Feeding

Anna Walsh et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. .
Free article

Abstract

Blenderised tube feeding (BTF) has become an increasingly popular method of nutrition support for long-term tube-fed patients mostly children. This study surveyed perceptions and experiences on BTF shared on YouTube. From 71 videos analysed, attitudes towards BTF were mostly positive (91%) and included psychosocial benefits and improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms; no differences between caregivers and healthcare professionals were observed. Very few speakers (8%) felt there was a lack of support regarding use of BTF in schools and from healthcare professionals, because it is not part of the standard clinical management protocols. The most commonly used food items in blends included carrots (n = 16) and chicken (n = 11), and experiences from those who have used BTF included tips on recipes for blends, storing feeds and ensuring nutritional adequacy. Analysis of YouTube content on BTF was considerably positive and suggests that BTF is feasible and safe way to provide nutrition to tube-fed patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: K.G. received research grants, consultancy fees, honoraria and hospitality from Nestle Health Sciences, Danone-Nutrition, Abbott, Baxter, Servier, Dr Falk, Mylan. Anna Walsh has no conflicts of interest. Omowunmi Bamkole has no conflicts of interest.

References

    1. Batsis ID, Davis L, Prichett L, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of blended diets in children receiving gastrostomy feeds. Nutr Clin Pract 2020; 35:282–288.
    1. Bennett K, Hjelmgren B, Piazza J. Blenderized tube feeding: health outcomes and review of homemade and commercially prepared products. Nutr Clin Pract 2020; 35:417–431.
    1. Gallagher K, Flint A, Mouzaki M, et al. Blenderized enteral nutrition diet study: feasibility, clinical, and microbiome outcomes of providing blenderized feeds through a gastric tube in a medically complex pediatric population. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2018; 42:1046–1060.
    1. Hron B, Fishman E, Lurie M, et al. Health outcomes and quality of life indices of children receiving blenderized feeds via enteral tube. J Pediatr 2019; 211:139.e1–145.e1.
    1. Maddison J, Taylor J, O’Neill M, et al. Outcomes for gastrostomy-fed children and their parents: qualitative findings from the ’Your Tube’ study. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:1099–1106.