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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2007

Kevin Whelan ,
Patricia A Judd ,
Victor R. Preedy  and
Moira A. Taylor
Kevin Whelan*
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, King's College London, London SE1 9NN, UK
Patricia A Judd
Affiliation:
Lancashire Postgraduate School of Medicine and Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
Victor R. Preedy
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, King's College London, London SE1 9NN, UK
Moira A. Taylor
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Mr Kevin Whelan, fax +44 20 7848 4185, email kevin.whelan@kcl.ac.uk
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Abstract

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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.

Keywords

Enteral nutritionMicrofloraShort-chain fatty acidsDiarrhoeaFibrePrebiotics
Type
Meeting Report
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 63 , Issue 1 , February 2004 , pp. 105 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

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