title: [Metabolic studies on intensive care patients during gastric tube feeding with a formulated diet, rich in bulk].
abstract: Results of metabolic investigations in 5 intensive care patients fed via gastric tube with a prefabricated formula diet (based on milk protein, rich in bulk material) are reported. Clinical handling proved to be rather simple, due to the homogeneity of the mixture tube, obstruction never occurred. Tolerance of the tested tube feeding was good in 4 of 5 patients (in 1 tetanus patient the study to be interrupted because of acute abdominal symptoms), mean body weight increased. During the 10-day treatment period, a slightly positive nitrogen balance (mean 1.4 +/- 5.9 g/day) resulted in a cumulative nitrogen retention of 15.5 g. Fat losses in faeces, probably due to high intake (more than 50% of calories administered), were moderately elevated compared to normal values; in some patients decreased fat resorption with steatorrhoea was observed on various days. The formula diet under investigation may be qualified as a suitable nutritional regime for intensive care patients with intact gastrointestinal function. In cases with impaired fat utilization, however, relative calorie deficiency interfering with protein synthesis (gluconeogenesis) might occur. Lowering of the fat quota (having been taken into account in the meantime) to the benefit of elevated carbohydrates may be desirable in this context.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011182:Postoperative Care
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005223:Fats; D009584:Nitrogen
vernacular_title: Stoffwechseluntersuchungen an Intensivpatienten während Sondenernährung mit einer ballaststoffhaltigen Formuladiät.