• Valeria Dipasquale, Antonella Diamanti, Chiara Maria Trovato, Domenica Elia, and Claudio Romano.
• Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
• Curr Med Res Opin. 2022 May 1; 38 (5): 831-835.

BackgroundMany feeding strategies may be used in chronically ill children on enteral nutrition. Interest is currently growing in real food-based enteral nutrition. A new tube feeding formula with real food ingredients is currently commercially available in Europe.Case ReportsBy focusing on four clinical cases, this article illustrates the use of a tube feeding formula with real food ingredients in pediatric patients with various complex conditions. The formula contains a milk-based mixture of peas, green beans, peaches, carrots, and chicken, and provides 1.2 kcal/ml. It was offered under medical supervision and after full consideration of all feeding options.ConclusionsFormula choice appears to be based on clinical experience and must be individualized to patients' characteristics and needs. Real food-containing formulas seem to improve tolerance and feeding outcomes as well as promote family inclusion and mealtime engagement, but further studies are warranted.

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