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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 14, 2014; 20(26): 8505-8524
Published online Jul 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8505
Published online Jul 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8505
Table 3 Gastrointestinal complications of enteral nutrition; causes, prevention and treatment
Complication | Cause | Prevention/treatment |
Diarrhea | Too rapid increase in amount of feed per day | Observe adaptation phase |
Too rapid infusion rate | Reduce/control infusion rate | |
Feed temperature too cold | Increase to room temperature | |
Hyperosmolar feedings (> 300 mOsm) | Use isotonic feeding solution, initially | |
dilute hyperosmolar feeding solutions | ||
Lactose intolerance | Use low-lactose or lactose-free diet | |
Fat malabsorption | Use low-fat or MCT-containing diet | |
Hypoalbuminemia | Use chemically defined diet and/or feed | |
Antibiotic therapy or medications | Review medications | |
Chemotherapy/radiotherapy | Prescribe antidiarrheal medications | |
Nausea/vomiting | Too rapid infusion rate | Reduce/control infusion rate |
Bacterial contamination of formula feed/delivery equipment contamination | Handle administration systems hygienically, change delivery equipment every 24 h, keep opened bottles of formula no more than 24 h in refrigerator | |
Cramps/bloating | Too rapid infusion rate | Reduce/control infusion rate |
Lactose intolerance | Use low-lactose or lactose-free diet | |
Fat malabsorption | Use low-fat or MCT-containing diet | |
Regurgitation/aspiration | Gastric retention | Reduce/control infusion rate, use duodenal tubes, incline patient during food administration |
Constipation | Inadequate fluid intake | Increase fluid intake, check fluid balance |
Fiber intake too low | Use fiber-containing formulas | |
Fecal impaction | Enemas | |
Electrolyte and hormonal derangement | Osmotic laxatives (lactulose 15-60 mL), | |
peristaltic agents (e.g., prostigmine 0.25-0.5 mg iv) |
- Citation: Blumenstein I, Shastri YM, Stein J. Gastroenteric tube feeding: Techniques, problems and solutions. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20(26): 8505-8524
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v20/i26/8505.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8505