Enteral feeding, gastric colonisation and diarrhoea in the critically ill patient: is there a relationship?

In this prospective study we aimed to determine whether there is any relationship between enteral feeding, gastric colonisation and diarrhoea in the critically ill patient. Sixty-two critically ill patients from an intensive care unit of a major teaching hospital, who satisfied the usual criteria for enteral feeding, were randomised to receive enteral feeding or not for three days followed by a second randomisation to enterally feed or not for three days. Diarrhoea was recorded and cultures taken of both gastric aspirates and stool. There was no significant difference in the incidence of diarrhoea between the groups. Gastric colonisation was unrelated to feeding practice and to the development of diarrhoea. We conclude that in the critically ill patient, enteral feeding does not cause or promote diarrhoea.