What is Enteral Tube Feeding? A Complete Guide

November 23, 2025 •

3 min read

Malnutrition affects over 40% of hospitalized patients in some areas, highlighting the importance of supportive interventions. Enteral tube feeding is a crucial medical method, delivering nutrients directly to the gastrointestinal tract when oral intake is insufficient.

Quick Summary

Enteral tube feeding provides liquid nutrients to the digestive system through a feeding tube when a person cannot swallow safely.

Key Points

Definition: Enteral tube feeding delivers liquid nutrition and medication to the GI tract via a tube.
Purpose: It is used when a patient cannot safely chew or swallow or consume enough food orally, yet has a functioning gut.
Types of Tubes: Options include temporary nasally-placed tubes (NG/NJ) and long-term surgically placed tubes (PEG/J-tube).
Administration Methods: Feedings can be delivered in boluses, continuously via a pump, or through intermittent gravity drips.
Key Benefits: Enteral feeding supports metabolism, is often safer than intravenous nutrition, and helps prevent gut atrophy.
Potential Risks: Complications include aspiration, tube blockage, site infection, and metabolic issues like refeeding syndrome.

Understanding the Basics of Enteral Nutrition

Enteral nutrition, also called tube feeding, is a method of delivering food, fluids, and medications into the stomach or small intestine via a flexible tube. It is for those with a functional digestive tract who cannot meet nutritional needs through eating. A healthcare team typically determines the need for and plan of enteral feeding. Enteral feeding is often favored over intravenous methods because it is safer, more cost-effective, and maintains GI health.

Why Enteral Tube Feeding is Necessary

Enteral tube feeding is used in several conditions that prevent adequate oral intake, including:

Impaired swallowing (dysphagia) from conditions like stroke or Parkinson's disease.
Neurological disorders that impact chewing and swallowing coordination.
Severe illness, injury, or surgery that increases nutritional demands.
Gastrointestinal issues such as esophageal narrowing or delayed gastric emptying.
Failure to thrive or congenital anomalies in infants and children.
Decreased consciousness or coma.

Types of Enteral Feeding Tubes

The choice of feeding tube depends on factors like nutritional needs, expected duration, and digestive function. Common types include:

Nasogastric (NG) tube: Inserted through the nose into the stomach, used for short periods (under 4-6 weeks).
Nasojejunal (NJ) tube: Extends from the nose into the jejunum (small intestine), used when gastric feeding is not tolerated.
Gastrostomy (G) tube: Surgically placed directly into the stomach through the abdomen, for long-term feeding. Often placed endoscopically (PEG).
Jejunostomy (J) tube: Surgically placed into the jejunum through the abdominal wall, used when bypassing the stomach is necessary.
Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tube: A tube with ports in both the stomach and jejunum, allowing for stomach decompression and jejunal feeding.

Methods of Administering Feedings

Feeding can be delivered via the tube using several methods:

Bolus feeding: Delivering a set amount of formula several times daily, often with G-tubes, mimicking meal times.
Continuous feeding: Slow, constant delivery of formula over 8-24 hours via a pump, often for jejunal feeding.
Intermittent drip feeding: Administering a specific volume over a period (e.g., 30-60 minutes) at regular intervals, via pump or gravity.

Caring for an Enteral Feeding Tube

Proper care is crucial to prevent complications. This involves:

Flushing: Rinsing the tube with warm water before and after feedings/medications to prevent clogs.
Cleaning the site: Washing the insertion site daily with mild soap and water.
Monitoring: Checking the site regularly for signs of infection, leakage, or irritation.
Securing: Ensuring the tube is properly secured to avoid accidental dislodgement, which can be an emergency, especially with new tubes.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Enteral Feeding


Feature	Short-Term Feeding (e.g., NG tube)	Long-Term Feeding (e.g., G-tube/PEG)
Tube Placement	Through the nose into the stomach or small intestine.	Surgically inserted directly through the abdomen into the stomach or small intestine.
Duration	Typically used for less than 4 to 6 weeks.	Recommended for longer than 4 to 6 weeks.
Patient Comfort	Can cause nasal and throat irritation, and may be uncomfortable.	Generally more comfortable and less irritating once the insertion site has healed.
Visibility	The tube is visible on the face, which can affect a person's appearance.	The tube site is easily concealed under clothing, improving cosmetic appeal.
Accidental Dislodgement	More common with frequent coughing or vomiting.	Less likely to be dislodged; however, a dislodged G-tube before the tract matures is an emergency.
Risk of Complications	Higher risk of aspiration, especially if misplaced.	Lower risk of tube dislodgement or blockage with proper care; long-term site infections can occur.

Potential Complications of Enteral Tube Feeding

Potential complications of enteral feeding include:

Aspiration: Stomach contents entering the lungs, risking pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal upset: Diarrhea or nausea.
Tube blockages: Preventing delivery of feed, often requiring tube replacement.
Infection: At the tube insertion site.
Refeeding syndrome: Metabolic issues in malnourished patients if feeding starts too fast.
Tube dislodgement: Accidental removal.

Conclusion

Enteral tube feeding is a vital medical method for giving nutrition to those who cannot eat orally but have a working digestive system. Different tube types and administration methods allow for personalized care. While complications like tube blockage or infection are possible, proper care significantly minimizes these risks. Understanding these aspects is key for patients and caregivers managing enteral nutrition.

For more clinical details on enteral feeding best practices, refer to the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enteral feeding delivers nutrients into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract via a tube. Parenteral feeding, or total parenteral nutrition (TPN), provides nutrients directly into a person's veins, bypassing the GI tract entirely. Enteral is preferred when the GI tract is functional due to lower infection risks and better support for gut health.

The duration varies. Short-term feeding, often under 4-6 weeks, frequently uses a nasogastric (NG) tube. For long-term nutritional needs, a surgically placed tube, like a gastrostomy (G-tube), is used and can be in place for months or years.

Yes, common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and bloating, especially when the body is first adjusting to the formula. More serious complications like aspiration, infection, or tube blockages can occur but are less common.

Insertion methods depend on the type of tube. Nasal tubes are inserted through the nose and down into the stomach or small intestine at the bedside. Gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes are placed surgically or endoscopically through a small incision in the abdomen.

In some cases, yes. Depending on their medical condition, a person may be able to eat and drink small amounts while using tube feeding to supplement their nutritional intake. The healthcare team will advise on what is safe.

Care involves washing the area around the tube (the stoma) with soap and water daily, keeping it dry, and monitoring for signs of infection such as redness or drainage. Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions.

If a tube becomes blocked, it should be flushed with warm water using a syringe. If it remains clogged, it may need to be replaced by a medical professional. Regular flushing helps prevent blockages from occurring.

Enteral feeding is not suitable for individuals with a non-functional or inaccessible gastrointestinal tract. Conditions like bowel obstruction or severe intestinal disease may prevent its use.