Paediatric enteral nutrition: practical approach based on ESPGHAN recommendations

Overview

Enteral nutrition (EN) involves both delivery of nutrients via feeding tubes and the provision of specialised oral nutrition suplements. Enteral nutrition is indicated in patients with at least a partially functioning digestive tract, when oral intake is inadequate or intake of normal food is inappropriate to meet the patients needs. Whenever possible, physiological route of nutrition is of recommendation: intragastric is preferred to postpyloric delivery of nutrients, intermittent feeding is preferred to continuous. An anticipated duration of enteral nutrition exceeding 4–6 weeks is an indication for gastrostomy or enterostomy. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the first option.

Indication and monitoring of EN should be guided by multidisciplinary nutrition support team to prevent EN-associated complications.

Key words:
enteral nutrition, indications, complications, pediatric patient