Investigating megesterol to help children with feeding difficulties transition from tube to oral eating

The safety and efficacy of megesterol as part of an outpatient feeding protocol for children with chronic medical conditions

NIH-funded research University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10642653

This study is looking at whether a medication called megesterol can help children who have chronic medical conditions and currently rely on feeding tubes to start eating by mouth again, using a special program designed to support them in this transition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10642653 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on helping children with chronic medical conditions who struggle with feeding, particularly those who rely on gastrostomy or gastrojejunal tube feeding. The study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of megesterol, a medication, as part of an outpatient protocol designed to transition these children from tube feeding to oral eating. The approach involves a randomized controlled trial comparing megesterol to a placebo, aiming to determine if it can significantly improve oral intake in these children. By utilizing an interdisciplinary outpatient protocol called iKanEat, the research seeks to provide a more effective solution for children facing long-term feeding challenges.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-21 years who have chronic medical conditions and require tube feeding.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have feeding difficulties or those who are not reliant on tube feeding may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable children with chronic medical conditions to transition to oral eating, improving their nutritional intake and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar outpatient feeding protocols, indicating potential for this approach to be effective.

Where this research is happening

Kansas City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.