The Safety and Efficacy of Megesterol as Part of an Outpatient Feeding Protocol for Children with Chronic Medical Conditions

Feeding problems requiring medical intervention occur in 3-10% of children. In addition, severe feeding problems occur in 40-70% of children with chronic medical conditions. As the prevalence of gastrostomy tube feeding has increased, so have the challenges associated with managing a child with tube feeding and transitioning a child from tube to oral feeding.  Life Span investigators are partnering with Ann Davis, principal investigator, and other investigators at the University of Kansas Medical Center to address the following aims:

The primary aim of the current study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial of megesterol, the only remaining medication that is part of the iKanEat protocol.

The second aim is to assess the safety of megesterol as part of the iKanEat protocol. Our previous work (as well as work by others) suggests that a 6 week course of megesterol can lead to adrenal insufficiency in some children, so as part of the current protocol we will assess the safety of a 4 week course of this drug.

The third aim of the study is to examine the effect of the transition from tube to oral feeding on parent stress and parent and child quality of life.