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Enteral Tubes: Type, Care, and Management of Complications

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology (SA Saeed and E Mezoff, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this article is to provide a practical review of the different enteral feeding tubes available and their indications, technical considerations, guidelines for their care, and possible complications.

Recent Findings

Enteral feeding is a safe and effective way to deliver nutrition to patients who are unable to meet their needs through normal eating. There are multiple types of enteral tubes available to meet the individual need or preference of each patient. The type of tube and placement depends on the patient’s condition, and the length of time the enteral tube will be needed. There are two categories of enteral feeding tubes: enteric and enterostomy tubes. Enteric tubes are placed either orally or nasally for those patients requiring short term nutritional support. Enterostomy tubes are placed into the stomach or small intestine and are for those patients requiring long term nutritional support.

Summary

Enteral nutrition refers to the delivery of nutrition into the gastrointestinal tract, either into the stomach or distally, through tubes that can be introduced into the nose, mouth, or stoma. Through the collaborative efforts of each patient’s medical team and with the basic knowledge of different enteral feeding tubes available and their indications, technical considerations, guidelines for their care, and possible complications, patient care can be improved.

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References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA

    Kim Osborne DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, Muhammad A. Khan MD, MPH, FASGE & Praveen S. Goday MBBS

Authors
  1. Kim Osborne DNP, RN, CPNP-PC
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  2. Muhammad A. Khan MD, MPH, FASGE
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  3. Praveen S. Goday MBBS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim Osborne DNP, RN, CPNP-PC.

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Conflict of Interest

Kim Osborne declares that she has no conflict of interest. Dr. Muhammad Khan declares that he has no conflict of interest. Dr. Praveen Goday declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Osborne, K., Khan, M.A. & Goday, P.S. Enteral Tubes: Type, Care, and Management of Complications. Curr Treat Options Peds 9, 238–246 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40746-023-00273-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40746-023-00273-2

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