Enteral feeding is a commonly used form of nutritional supplementation for patients
with intestinal failure, both in hospitals and in the community. This article concentrates
on the basic principles of enteral feeding, including the physiological effects of
feeding into the intestinal tract. It covers the indications for enteral feeding,
the different methods of supplying enteral feeds to the gastrointestinal tract, and
the potential complications. There is also a discussion of the indications for and
practice of home enteral nutrition.
KEYWORDS
Nutrition - enteral feeding - enteral access - complications
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Dr.
J Powell-Tuck
Clinical Nutrition, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
eMail: j.powell-tuck@qmul.ac.uk
