Enteral Nutrition

Enteral nutrition refers to any method of feeding that uses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to deliver nutrition and calories. It can include a normal oral diet, the use of liquid supplements or delivery by use of a tube (tube feeding). The site of entry of the tube and tube types will be discussed under "enteral access." Parenteral nutrition refers to the delivery of calories and nutrients into a vein. This could be as simple as carbohydrate calories delivered as simple sugar in an intravenous solution or all of the required nutrients could be delivered including carbohydrate, protein, fat, electrolytes (for example sodium and potassium), vitamins and trace elements (for example copper and zinc).