Indications for enteral tube feeding
| Indication for feeding | Example |
|---|---|
| GI, gastrointestinal; CVA, cerebrovascular accident. | |
| Hospital nutrition support teams and/or dietitians should be involved as early as possible in the assessment and instigation of enteral tube feeding. | |
| Unconscious patient | Head injury, ventilated patient |
| Swallowing disorder | Post-CVA, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease |
| Physiological anorexia | Liver disease (particularly with ascites) |
| Upper GI obstruction | Oesophageal stricture |
| Partial intestinal failure | Postoperative ileus (see section 5.0), inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome |
| Increased nutritional requirements | Cystic fibrosis, renal disease |
| Psychological problems | Severe depression or anorexia nervosa |