{
  "abstract": "Aim of Study The objective of this study is to review the prevalence of zinc and copper deficiencies among children who have been on jejunal nutrition.Background In jejunal fed children, we found high prevalence of micronutrient deficiency and often struggled to find proper guidelines to follow up or to manage micronutrient deficiencies. Copper and zinc deficiency are commonly seen in jejunal feeding as these micronutrients are absorbed in the stomach.Methods A retrospective review of notes, electronic record of patients, dietic notes and blood levels of Zinc and Copper in children who have been on jejunal nutrition between 2018 to 2024.Results There were 86 children on jejunal nutrition between 2018–2024. 40/ 86 children were also on some supplemental oral nutrition. Out of 86 children, 38 children are currently continuing on JEJ feeding, 26 children have transitioned to other types of enteral feeding. 17 children passed away while on jejunal feeding and the feeding status of 5 children is unknown.The most common age jejunal nutrition was started is < 1 year, accounting for 27/86. The average age of starting jejunal feed is 5.2 years and the youngest is 3 weeks old. The average duration of jejunal feeding is 3.3 years.In our cohort, prior to the year 2022, the average micronutrient monitoring from the year 2018 to 2021 was 48.75%. Micronutrient monitoring after 2022 improved after the appointment of nutritional nurses in the department, averaging at 68% in 2022, 80% in 2023, 61.5% by mid-2024.In the study group, (table 1) 28% of children were found to be deficient in zinc and 17% of children were deficient in copper. Of those deficient, 33% had low albumin and 50% had high CRP at the time of zinc level measurement. Inflammation or infection can cause redistribution of micronutrients and blood levels of various micronutrients may be falsely low or high.1 Conclusions This study done on the pediatric population showed that micronutrient deficiencies like copper and zinc were seen over the course of jejunal nutrition. However, regulated monitoring of micronutrient will lead to detection and treatment. In our cohort, few micronutrient studies were done while children were admitted in the hospital for an illness. The incidental finding of altered low levels of these micronutrients when done in the acute phase of inflammation demands robust guidelines to regularly monitor the micronutrients when children are well and avoid opportunistic blood monitoring when they are admitted with infection or for surgery.Abstract OC99 Table 1The number of copper and zinc deficiencies Year Number of Copper deficiency Percent Number of Zinc Deficiency Percent Number of children on jejunal nutrition 202425%25%382023715%715%47202224%1018%57202137%613%46202013%514%35201914%312%26201800%12%17Total1632%3264% References Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, et al. Clinical nutrition 1357- ESPEN micronutrient guidelines- 5, 12. Edition- 2022",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian"
      ],
      "name": "Neha Yashwant Nar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian"
      ],
      "name": "Thant Zin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian"
      ],
      "name": "Ryen Crabb"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Highland"
      ],
      "name": "Elieth Chaparro Ramos"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian"
      ],
      "name": "Rachel Arthur"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian"
      ],
      "name": "Jessica Prentice"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Tayside"
      ],
      "name": "Louise Gannon"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian"
      ],
      "name": "Shyla Kishore"
    }
  ],
  "title": "OC99 Prevalence of zinc and copper deficiency among children receiving jejunal nutrition",
  "uid": "36979acc-4638-5a91-a17b-cef11e3c2beb"
}