A more physiological feeding process in ICU: Intermittent infusion with semi-solid nutrients (CONSORT-compliant)

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Nutritional Support
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Enteral nutrition (EN) is crucial for critically ill patients.
• Optimizing EN delivery efficiency is essential for patient outcomes.
• Feeding intolerance (FI) can impede adequate nutritional support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if semi-solid nutrients enhance enteral nutrition (EN) efficiency.
• To compare the efficacy of intermittent feeding (IF) versus intermittent feeding with semi-solid nutrients (IS).
• To assess the impact on administered vs. prescribed nutrition volumes and acute complications.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 28 critically ill subjects.
• Participants were assigned to either IF or IS groups.
• Key parameters included prescribed/received dosage and acute complications (diarrhea, vomiting, etc.).

Main Results:

• The IS group received a significantly higher percentage of prescribed calories (98% vs. 73%).
• Total caloric intake was higher in the IS group during the first 3 days.
• The incidence of feeding intolerance (FI) was lower in the IS group (2/14 vs. 8/14).

Conclusions:

• Intermittent feeding with semi-solid nutrients (IS) increased EN efficiency in critically ill patients.
• Improved feeding tolerance may be linked to the enhanced efficiency observed with IS.
• Semi-solid nutrients did not impact length of stay, lung infection, or mortality.