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• The Oley Foundation
  Provides help to people whose daily survival depends on home intravenous or tube-fed nutrition.
• NG Insertion
  25 kb PDF article from Ohio State University Medical Center.
• Tube Feedings (Enteral)
  Info on care and use of NG, PEG, PEJ tubes.
  50 kb PDF article from Ohio State University Medical Center.
• NG Tube Placement
  38 kb PDF article from Ohio State University Medical Center.
• PEG Tube Care
  43 kb PDF article from Ohio State University Medical Center.
• PEJ Tube Care
  45 kb PDF article from Ohio State University Medical Center.
• Enteral Nutrition Formulas
  Medline Plus drug info on various formulas for enteral nutrition.

Enteral (NG/PEG) Nutrition

In recent years, research has increased on the use of feedings by either a nasogastric (NG), or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube as an alternative to parenteral (intravenous) nutrition. This is mostly attributed to decreasing the cost of medical care, and increasing safety. A NG tube is passed through the nose to the stomach or jejunum, and the PEG requires a surgical procedure to implant it through the abdomen into the stomach. Sometimes, the tube will be advanced into the jejunum for added safety and tolerance.

However, it should not be assumed that the metabolic complications of parenteral nutrition will be avoided by use of enteral nutrition, nor is it without risk. The most common risks include tube displacement, pulmonary aspiration and poor patient tolerance. Many women with HG have slow emptying of their stomachs, extremely sensitive gag reflexes, and frequent vomiting which make NG feedings intolerable and somewhat risky. Some of these women report repeated tube dislodgements due to vomiting. Further, many women benefit greatly from a period of gut rest, yet require nutritional support due to weeks of vomiting and limited intake. Intravenous nutrition is preferred initially in these women.

Research & Risks

A few studies have demonstrated that enteral nutrition may be a safe and effective alternative to TPN in selected pregnant women with HG who have failed conventional treatment. However, these studies have only a few patients of varying severity, and thus should be interpreted cautiously. It is not yet clear as to which women with HG are the best candidates. It should be noted that women with HG have several risk factors for aspiration, as well as Refeeding Syndrome, both potential complications of enteral nutrition (see below for more info). Careful monitoring is important when initiating this therapy. In women who continue to vomit, more aggressive antiemetics should be considered, and/or an alternative mode of nutritional support.

Risk Factors for Aspiration: Decreased level of consciousness (sedative medication) Diminished gag reflex Acid reflux Supine position (laying down) Use of large diameter tubes Large gastric residuals Delayed gastric emptying Vomiting or retching

Patient's at Risk for Refeeding Syndrome: Chronic malnutrition Prolonged fasting Prolonged IV hydration Significant stress and nutrient depletion

 

Potential Complications of Enteral Nutrition: Metabolic complications: Electrolyte imbalances (K+, Na+) Due to fluid imbalance, renal impairment, diarrhea, Refeeding syndrome. Hyperglycemia Too many calories or lack of adequate insulin. Dehydration   Tube clogging   Tube malposition   Aspiration   Nausea and vomiting   Diarrhea   Constipation   Malabsorption/maldigestion   Refeeding syndrome The metabolic cascade of events that takes place when a malnourished patient is refed. Hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, body-fluid disturbances, vitamin deficiencies such as thiamine, cardiac arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure may result.

Adapted from http://www.rxkinetics.com/tpntutorial/2_3.html, www.medscape.com, and other sources.

 

Offsite Research: Enteral nutrition by nasojejunal tube in hyperemesis gravidarum. Pearce CB, Collett J, Goggin PM, Duncan HD. Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK. Clinical Nutrition 2001 Oct;20(5):461-4. We describe two cases in which self-propelling, blind placed nasojejunal tubes were placed in severe hyperemesis gravidarum. This method provides an alternative to parenteral nutrition and to percutaneous endoscopic tubes, is well tolerated, cost effective and with a low rate of complication. Both mothers were given nutritional support at home, had normal subsequent pregnancies and normal babies.   Enteral nutrition by percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy in severe hyperemesis gravidarum: a report of two cases. Serrano P, Velloso A, Garcia-Luna PP, Pereira JL, Fernadez Z, Ductor MJ, Castro D, Tejero J, Fraile J, Romero H. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain. Clinical Nutrition 1998 Jun;17(3):135-9. We describe the first two cases in which percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy was used as a means to provide enteral nutrition in severe hypermesis gravidarum. The use of this method of enteral access provided an alternative to parenteral nutrition, was well tolerated, cost-effective and had no major complications. In both cases the nutritional goal for mothers as well as appropriate fetal growth and development were achieved.   More PubMed Research on Enteral Nutrition and Hyperemesis »

Updated on: Sep. 15, 2022

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