Behnam Bahramian - Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Saeedeh Talebi - Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mitra Rezaie - Department of Nutrition, Faculty of medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Background: Enteral feeding (EF) is the delivery of liquid nutritional support through a tube for hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction who are incapable of eating or unable to meet their nutritional requirements via the oral route. Hospitals reports indicate increase interest and demand for blenderized tube feeding (BTF) as an alternative to commercial enteral formulas particularly in families of tube fed children. In particular, by increasing food sensitivity and more complex identification in children, BTF allows families to adjust their diet to their children's needs. This systematic review study aimed to investigate BTF in pediatric patients.Methods: Literature search was conducted in four English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, using multiple keywords, such as blenderized tube feeding, pediatric, blended formula, homemade enteral nutrition, and children. Out of ۱۰۳ retrieved articles, ۶ were selected and reviewed.Results: The six articles that included the study criteria were reviewed. The results showed that calories were approximately ۱kcal/g, protein ۱۳ -۲۲%, fat ۳۰ - ۳۴%, and carbohydrates ۴۵-۵۵%.Conclusions: The results indicated that BTF of calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein is acceptable and can be administered to the pediatric, but due to concerns about calorie deficiency and macronutrients should be under the supervision of a nutritionist.  BTFs are a good choice among children; since they can improve gastrointestinal symptoms and are a good option for families who use EF for their children at home. Most pediatric patients use BTFs as a portion of their EF, making it necessary that nutritionists and physicians expand their knowledge related to BTFs to appropriately care for these pediatric patients.

Blenderized Tube Feeding, Pediatric, patients, Children, Systematic review