Nestlé Introduces Formula for Critically-Ill Obese Patients

Many of the existing tube feeding formulas, for instance, do not contain enough protein or the appropriate micronutrients recommended for this patient population in the 2009 Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines.

2/4/2011 --- Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition announced the launch of Peptamen Bariatric Formula, a unique tube feeding formula specifically designed for the critically-ill obese patient. The announcement came at this week’s American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Nutrition Week meeting where a panel of experts gathered to discuss the issue of obesity in the critical care setting and the unmet nutritional needs of this patient population. These nutrition leaders agree that current nutrition protocols, and the more than 200 existing formulas, unless manipulated, do not adequately meet the nutritional needs of the critically-ill obese patient.

"More than one in four ICU patients are now obese,"1 said Dr. Juan Ochoa, Medical and Scientific Director, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition. “As obesity rates increase across the country and around the world, it is vital to provide clinicians with the information and tools they need to serve this patient population with the best care possible.”

Opinion leaders in nutrition including Stephen McClave, M.D., Roland Dickerson, Pharm.D. and Robert Martindale, M.D., Ph.D. were onsite to discuss the lack of consistent protocols used in nutritional assessment and how to best care for obese patients in the Intensive Care Unit. They emphasized that despite the proven benefit of proper nutrition intervention, many healthcare providers do not have the resources needed to address the unique nutritional needs of these challenging patients.

Many of the existing tube feeding formulas, for instance, do not contain enough protein or the appropriate micronutrients recommended for this patient population in the 2009 Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines. Experts agree that new formulas, protocols and training should be developed to help assure these patients receive the appropriate amount of nutrients within the optimal energy targets.

"The lack of consistent and appropriate nutrition interventions for the obese, critically-ill patient means that some patients may be overfed, others may be underfed and become malnourished, and others may not have their nutritional needs assessed at all. All of these scenarios can present problems with health outcomes and recovery rates," said Stephen McClave, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Louisville.

Obesity is a serious health concern because of its related complications and co-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders such as diabetes and respiratory disease. The increased rate of infections and complications associated with obesity in the ICU can be significant, costly and affect treatment across all settings.

"There is a known benefit with early nutritional intervention in the ICU patient. However, despite having more than 236 formulas, until recently, not one met the recommended amount of protein and calories suggested to help support improved patient outcomes for this patient population," said Robert Martindale, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of General Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University.

To address this important need, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition has developed a tube feeding formula, Peptamen Bariatric, with a unique protein-to-calorie ratio specifically designed to help meet the protein requirements of the critically ill obese patient recommended in the 2009 Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines.2

Peptamen Bariatric tube feeding formula is the latest addition to the Nestlé Peptamen family of products. Peptamen is the only family of peptide formulas with over 50 clinical studies and more than 23 years of clinical experience. For the tube feeding of the critically-ill obese patient, Peptamen Bariatric formula provides 37 percent of calories from 100 percent whey protein, enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce peptides. The lipid blend in Peptamen Bariatric contains 50 percent medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to support improved formula tolerance and successful enteral feeding.

1 Hogue et al. Intensive Care Medicine 2009:35; 1152-1170.
2 This above statement does not constitute an endorsement of Peptamen Bariatric Formulas or any other Nestlé Nutrition formula by SCCM or ASPEN.