Impact of enteral nutrition interruptions on underfeeding in intensive care unit

Malnutrition leads to poor outcomes for critically ill patients; however, underfeeding remains a prevalent issue in the intensive care unit (ICU). One of the reasons for underfeeding is enteral nutrition interruption (ENI). Our aim was to investigate the causes, frequency, and duration of ENIs and their association with underfeeding in critical care.

This was a prospective observational study conducted at the Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics, Lithuania, between December 2017 and February 2018. It included adult medical and surgical ICU patients who received enteral nutrition (EN). Data on ENIs and caloric, as well as protein intake were collected during the entire ICU stay. Nutritional goals were assessed using indirect calorimetry, where available.

In total 73 patients were enrolled in the study. Data from 1023 trial days and 131 ENI episodes were collected; 68% of the patients experienced ENI during the ICU stay, and EN was interrupted during 35% of the trial days. The main reasons for ENIs were haemodynamic instability (20%), high gastric residual volume (GRV) (17%), tracheostomy (16%), or other surgical interventions (16%). The median duration of ENI was 12 [6-24] h, and the longest ENIs were due to patient-related factors (22 [12-42] h). The rate of underfeeding was 54% vs. 15% in the trial days with and without ENI (p < 0.001), respectively. Feeding goal was achieved in 26% of the days with ENI vs. 45% of days without ENI (p < 0.001). The daily average caloric provision was 77 ± 36% vs. 106 ± 29% in the trial days with and without ENI (p < 0.001) and protein provision was 0.96 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.5 g/kg, respectively (p < 0.001).

The episodes of ENI in critically ill patients are frequent and prolonged, often leading to underfeeding. Similar observations have been reported by other studies; however, the causes and duration of ENI vary, mainly because of different practices worldwide. Hence, safe and internationally recognised reduced-fasting guidelines and protocols for critically ill patients are needed in order to minimise ENI-related underfeeding and malnutrition.