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Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastroparesis (GP) are some of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in children. These disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that lead to inadequate nutritional intake with potential for malnutrition and its ramifications.

Objective

Assess GI intolerance symptoms and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in children with GERD and/or GP who have been prescribed a 100% whey, peptide-based formula (w-PBF) enteral feeding in the post-acute care setting.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of de-identified medical claims data from the Decision Resources Group Real World Evidence Data Repository (Jan 2013-July 2023) evaluating children (≥ 1 to <18 years) fed with a Peptamen Junior® formula [w-PBF] for ≥7 consecutive days in post-acute care. Pre- and post-index periods were defined as 1 year before the first w-PBF and up to 12 months following (post-index) the first w-PBF claim date, respectively. Study periods were 1-, 3-, 6- and 12 months post-index. Intolerance symptoms noted were abdominal distention and pain, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, gagging and retching, and nausea and vomiting.

Results

1019 patient with GERD (mean age 5.2 years) and 113 with gastroparesis (mean age 7.6 years) were assessed. The mean Pediatric Comorbidity Index (PCI) score was 7.5 in those with GERD and 7.9 in those with GP. At 12 months post-index, there were significant decreases in GI intolerance symptoms of abdominal distention and pain, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and vomiting in those children with GERD (p<0.001). Likewise, those children with GP also had significantly decreased GI symptoms of abdominal distention, flatulence, nausea and vomiting at 12 months post-index (p<0.02)