[Transpyloric enteral nutrition in critically-ill children (II): complications].
OBJECTIVE
To study tolerance to transpyloric enteral nutrition (TEN) and the incidence of secondary complications in critically-ill children.


METHODS
We performed a prospective, observational study between 1994 and 2002 of all critically-ill children admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit who received TEN. Tolerance and complications were analyzed.


RESULTS
Of 286 patients aged between 3 days and 17 years who received TEN, gastrointestinal complications occurred in 13.6 %, abdominal distention and/or excessive gastric residue in 8 % and diarrhea in 6.3 %. Diarrhea was associated with shock (p 0.01), abdominal distension and/ or excessive gastric residue (p 0.008), hypophosphatemia (p 0.001), and duration of TEN (p < 0.001). TEN was discontinued in 2.1 % of the patients because of gastrointestinal complications. Thirty-two patients (11.2 %) died during TEN. No relationship was found between the characteristics of nutrition and complications and mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
TEN is a well tolerated method of nutrition in critically-ill children that produces few complications.
Sánchez Sánchez
C
C
Sección de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon. Madrid. Spain.
López-Herce Cid
J
J
Carrillo Alvarez
A
A
Bustinza Arriortúa
A
A
Sancho Pérez
L
L
Vigil Escribano
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016638:Critical Illness; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011708:Pylorus