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A variety of enteral formulas for various diseases have become available in India in the last few years. Awareness among pediatricians about the availability and indications for these therapeutic formulas is low. A literature search was conducted in PUBMED and relevant data collected from all English language publications available. Data on the commercial preparations was sourced from the individual companies, the Diet 4 life initiative as well as FSSAI (Food safety and standards authority of India). Therapeutic enteral formulas, which are indicated in various disease states belong to four categories - lactose modified, hydrolyzed, MCT based and metabolic disease specific formulas. Lactose modified formulas which are used in temporary or permanent lactose intolerance and Galactosemia are either casein or soy protein based. Hydrolyzed formulas could be partially hydrolyzed, extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid based. Only extensively hydrolyzed formula should be recommended in milk protein allergy. Amino acid (elemental) formulas are mainly indicated in patients with diffuse intestinal mucosal disease. MCT formulas are used in chronic liver disease with cholestasis, and have 30 to 80% MCT. Formulas for inborn errors of metabolism are free of specific carbohydrate, amino acid or fatty acid. Proprietary formulas presently available in India with their specifications have been listed.

The problem of poor nutrition with impaired growth persists in young children worldwide, including in India, where wasting occurs in 20% of urban children (&lt, 5 years). Exacerbating this problem, some children are described by their parent as a picky eater with behaviors such as eating limited food and unwillingness to try new foods. Timely intervention can help prevent nutritional decline and promote growth recovery, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and dietary counseling (DC) are commonly used. The present study aimed to determine the effects of ONS along with DC on growth in comparison with the effects of DC only. Enrolled children (N = 321) were &gt, 24 to ≤48 months old, at malnutrition risk (weight-for-height percentile 3rd to 15th), and described as a picky eater by their parent. Enrollees were randomized to one of the three groups (N = 107 per group): ONS1 + DC, ONS2 + DC, and DC only. From day 1 to day 90, study findings showed significant increases in weight-for-height percentile for ONS1 + DC and for ONS2 + DC interventions, as compared to DC only (p = 0.0086 for both). There was no significant difference between the two ONS groups. Anthropometric measurements (weight and body mass index) also increased significantly over time for the two ONS groups (versus DC only, p &lt, 0.05), while ONS1 + DC significantly improved mid-upper-arm circumference (p &lt, 0.05 versus DC only), as well. ONS groups showed a trend toward greater height gain when compared to DC only group, but the differences were not significant within the study interval. For young Indian children with nutritional risk and picky eating behaviors, our findings showed that a 90-day nutritional intervention with either ONS1 or ONS2, along with DC, promoted catch-up growth more effectively than did DC alone.