Objectives: This study investigated biological factors, which may influence the time taken for children to wean from enteral to oral intake. Methods: Retrospective case-note audit of 62 tube-fed children (nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) aged 6 months to 8 years, participating in an intensive tube weaning program. Program design included family-focused mealtimes, child autonomy, and appetite stimulation. A regression model was developed, which shows the combination of variables with the most predictive power for time taken to wean. Results: Data from 62 children who were highly dependent (minimum 93% of calories provided enterally) on tube feeding for an extended period of time (mean = 2.1 years) were analysed. Children's mean body mass index z score at time of weaning was −0.47 (standard deviation 1.03) (mean weight = 10.54 kg) and 54 (87%) presented with a range of medical conditions. Forty-four children (71%) remained completely tube free at 3 months postintervention and an additional 5 children (10%) were fully tube weaned within 10 months of program commencement. Type of feeding tube, medical complexity, age, and length of time tube fed all significantly correlated with time taken to wean. Logistic regression modelling indicated that the type of feeding tube in combination with the degree of medical complexity and time tube fed were the strongest predictors of time taken to wean. Conclusions: Biological factors usually considered to impact on successful weaning from tube feeding (volume of oral intake, oral skill, or mealtime behaviours) were not relevant; however, the type of feeding tube in combination with the degree of medical complexity and time tube fed were the strongest predictors. The impact of psychosocial factors should be investigated to identify if these mitigated the effects of the biological variables.

Approaches to tube weaning enterally fed children and evaluating outcomes vary widely. This limits the utility of research for identifying both “what works” and successful implementation of research outcomes. We used a qualitative scoping review methodology to examine internationally published research. Our primary aim was to identify the main philosophies underpinning intervention design and the main outcome variables used to demonstrate success of existing programs. This information can be used to inform future research design and clinical practice. Literature up until June 2019 was sourced via Medline, Scopus, Ovid, and CINHAL databases; hand searching; and gray literature using Google Advanced Search. Three predominant approaches to tube‐weaning interventions were identified: behavioral, child‐ and family‐centered, and biomedical. A wide range of intervention variables were identified, with the level of parental involvement and the use of hunger provocation varying between approaches. Our Review also confirms that there is no consistency in outcome measures used, limiting comparability between programs. We suggest that the role of parents in the weaning process and its impact on both the child and the parent/carer while transitioning from enteral to oral eating are insufficiently understood. We discuss these findings in the context of a suggested framework for future research.

Background: Persistent enteral tube feeding beyond the point of medical and/or physical necessity provides important nutrition to a child but may have implications for their development, gastrointestinal tract and quality of life. Tube dependency can affect parent-child relationships and sibling and family dynamics and place additional medical demands upon parents. It is therefore important to transition children from tube to oral eating and drinking as soon as is medically safe to do so. Tube weaning requires a skilled team to support the transition to oral intake; however, access to experienced teams is inconsistent. Without transparent discussions with their treating teams, many parents are left to navigate tube weaning options independently.Methods: Fourteen parents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. We explored the experiences of parents across their child's progression towards oral feeding, from the decision-making process to undertaking an intensive multidisciplinary tube weaning programme. Thematic analysis of the parents' stories shaped the development of seven themes.Results: Parents were unaware that tube weaning would be required and how that would be facilitated. They expressed a strong belief that their child could learn to eat-if afforded an opportunity. Furthermore, parents are prepared to disengage from current services if they feel they are not respected members of their child's therapeutic team. Three key learnings were identified relating to the need for tube exit plans, parents as key team members and parents as change agents.Conclusions: Parenting a tube-fed child, initiating and engaging in tube weaning, is a stressful and emotional journey. However, by establishing care partnerships, parents are willing to put trust in a process if provided with options and afforded autonomy, empowerment, acknowledgement and relevant support.