Tag: Clinical indications

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, enteral nutrition is often the preferred method of nutritional support over parenteral nutrition due to its safety, cost-effectiveness, and preservation of gastrointestinal function. A primary indication for this treatment is when a patient has a functioning gastrointestinal (GI) tract but cannot ingest enough nutrients orally.

According to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a life-sustaining therapy for individuals whose gastrointestinal tract is unable to digest or absorb nutrients. This medical intervention is a complex process with specific indications and is not suitable for every patient in need of nutritional support.

Approximately 40% to 60% of hospitalized patients are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, necessitating nutritional support. The fundamental reason parenteral nutrition (PN) might be indicated for a patient rather than enteral nutrition (EN) is a non-functional or inaccessible gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

According to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), enteral nutrition is the preferred method for feeding patients who cannot meet their nutritional needs orally but have a functional gastrointestinal tract. This article focuses on what are three indications for use of enteral nutrition, exploring why this treatment is so crucial for certain patient groups.