Complications occurring during enteral nutrition support: a prospective study.
A review of 253 patients treated with enteral nutrition support via tube feedings is presented for the purpose of evaluating the incidence of complications. Thirty patients, (11.7%) experienced either gastrointestinal, (6.2%) mechanical (3.5%), or metabolic (2.0%) complications. The recognition and treatment of such complications are discussed and it is concluded that tube feedings are safely tolerated by most patients; however, constant attention must be exerted to either avoid or recognize such complications.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000209:etiology