Effect of continuous and intermittent enteral feeding on critical patients' tolerance of enteral nutrition

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of different enteral feeding methods on critical patients' tolerance of enteral nutrition. Methods Totally 80 patients receiving enteral nutrition feeding were equally divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table. Patients in the observation group received intermittent high-speed feeding, while patients in the control group received continuous feeding with constant velocity. Then the patients were compared in terms of their tolerance of enteral nutrition. Results As for patients in the observation group, 70% showed good tolerance of enteral nutrition; 22.5% had moderate tolerance; and the other 7.5% displayed intolerance. Among patients in the control group, 72.5% displayed good tolerance; 17.5% showed moderate tolerance; and the remaining 10% had intolerance (χ2=0.410, P>0.05) . Conclusions Intermittent enteral nutrition feeding may be a priority to critical patients that score under 20 by ACAHECII and aged under 60; according to the latest international guidelines, patients' tolerance of enteral nutrition must be monitored on a daily basis, in case enteral nutrition should be stopped improperly. Key words: Enteral nutrition; Critical patients; Feeding method; Tolerance