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Diarrhoea during enteral feeding in the critically ill: A comparison of feeds with and without fibre

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Abstract

This randomised double-blind study examined the frequency of diarrhoea in intensive care unit patients given a fibre-containing feed, Enrich, and a fibre-free feed, Ensure. A daily ‘diarrhoea score’ was calculated from the frequency, volume and consistency of the stools. A score greater than 12 indicated diarrhoea, and greater than 50 severe diarrhoea. Ninety one patients met the criteria for participation: Enrich 45, Ensure 46. The groups were similar in age, sex ratio, feed volume, antibiotic usage, upper gastro-intestinal bleeding prophylaxis and plasma albumin concentrations. Diarrhoea occurred in 16 patients given Enrich and 13 given Ensure, severe diarrhoea affecting 5 and 9 respectively (NS). Forty seven of 343 (14%) Enrich feeding days and 51 of 342 (15%) Ensure feeding days were complicated by diarrhoea — severe diarrhoea: 8 and 12 feeding days (NS). We conclude soy polysaccharide (21 g/L) did not reduce diarrhoea in intensive care unit patients given enteral feeds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Intensive Care Unit, Royal Perth Hospital, P.O. Box X2213, 6001, Perth, Western Australia

    G. J. Dobb & S. C. Towler

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  1. G. J. Dobb
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  2. S. C. Towler
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Dobb, G.J., Towler, S.C. Diarrhoea during enteral feeding in the critically ill: A comparison of feeds with and without fibre. Intensive Care Med 16, 252–255 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01705161

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01705161

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