Navigating the complexities of medicating paediatric patients: Insights from an enteral feeding tube workshop

Abstract

Enteral feeding tubes (EFT) are used to administer nutrition into the gastrointestinal tract of patients who are unable to take nutrition via mouth. A wide range of children may require enteral feeding through EFT which are also used to administer medication. However, many medicines are not licensed for administration via this route. Numerous factors can impact EFT medicine administration, including for example, dosage form properties and composition, EFT size, design and material, and operational aspects such as tube flushing. As a result, the risk of sub-optimal dosing and medication error is much higher in patients with EFT compared to those without. EuPFI organised a preconference workshop to review the current state of knowledge around aspects to be considered in the verification of EFT administration of medications to children, and considerations for EFT use, and to highlight the areas that remain challenging. Healthcare professional, pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agency perspectives were shared, and case studies discussed. It was agreed that simple and clear standardised global procedures are required for the evaluation and administration of medicines via EFT, and collaboration between all key stakeholders is recommended.