Home enteral nutrition - An Argentinian national cross-sectional study

Introduction: home enteral nutrition (HEN) is an essential medical procedure for patients unable to meet nutritional requirements through oral intake. Globally, HEN practices vary due to differences in healthcare systems and patient populations, but data from Latin America, particularly Argentina, are scarce. This study aimed to describe HEN practices and outcomes within a private healthcare service in Argentina. Methods: a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, including all adult and pediatric patients receiving HEN in April 2023. Data on demographic, clinical, nutritional, and HEN characteristics were collected. Nutritional regimens, access methods, infusion modalities, and complications were analysed. Statistical analysis included descriptive and comparative tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: among 1,816 patients (1,269 adults, 547 children), neurological conditions were the leading indication for HEN (adults: 77.9 %, paediatric: 67.8 %), followed by oncological conditions (adults: 11.7 %, paediatric: 1.3 %). Gastrostomy was the predominant access method, and non-continuous infusion was most common (cyclic in adults, intermittent in paediatric). Complication rates related to nutrition access were low (adults: 2.3 %, paediatric: 2.9 %), with tube dislodgement and ostomy leakage as the most frequent issues. Nutritional formulas were prescribed based on caloric and protein needs, with no significant differences in complication rates between formula types. Conclusion: this first Latin American study on HEN highlights the predominance of neurological conditions, the preference for gastrostomy access, and non-continuous feeding. The low complication rates suggest the safety of HEN, underscoring the need for standardized data collection and regulation to optimize care and outcomes in Argentina.