Enteral feeding: the effect on faecal output, the faecal microflora and SCFA concentrations

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

Moira A. Taylor¹  Victor R. Preedy¹  Patricia A Judd¹  Kevin Whelan¹ 

关键词: Enteral nutrition;    Microflora;    Short-chain fatty acids;    Diarrhoea;    Fibre;    Prebiotics;   

DOI  :  10.1079/PNS2003317

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

Enteral tube feeding is common in both the hospital and community environment; however, patients can suffer alterations in faecal output that can have serious clinical sequelae. Problems associated with accurate characterisation of faecal output and definition of diarrhoea impede the comparison of research studies and prevent standardised assessment of therapeutic interventions in clinical practice. The colonic microflora may protect the patient against diarrhoea by preventing enteropathogenic infection and by producing SCFA that stimulate colonic water absorption. However, studies in healthy volunteers suggest that the composition of the enteral formula may have a negative impact on the microflora and SCFA concentrations. The addition of fructo-oligosaccharides to the enteral formula may partially prevent negative alterations to the microflora, although conclusive data from studies in patients are not yet available. Modification of the microflora with probiotics and prebiotics may hold potential in prophylaxis against diarrhoea during enteral tube feeding.

【 授权许可】

Unknown