In which cases is enteral nutrition contraindicated?

Enteral nutrition is an essential method of providing nutrients and calories to people who cannot consume food orally or who have specific dietary needs. However, it is not suitable for all cases and there are situations in which it is contraindicated.

In this session, we will examine the circumstances in which enteral nutrition may not be appropriate and the reasons behind these contraindications.

Appropriate Oral Feeding

One of the main criteria for determining whether enteral nutrition is contraindicated is the patient's ability to adequately ingest food orally. If an individual is able to consume sufficient calories and nutrients orally and does not have significant swallowing difficulties, enteral nutrition may not be necessary and therefore contraindicated.

Enteral nutrition is administered directly into the gastrointestinal tract, so it is essential that the gastrointestinal tract is functioning relatively normally to ensure adequate absorption of nutrients. In cases of severe gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as total intestinal obstructions, enteral nutrition may be contraindicated due to the lack of an adequate passageway for nutrient absorption.

Untreated Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers, which are lesions in the mucosa of the stomach or small intestine, may increase the risk of complications during enteral nutrition administration. If peptic ulcers have not been adequately treated or are not under control, the additional irritation caused by enteral nutrition may worsen the condition, leading to its contraindication.

After recent surgeries on the gastrointestinal tract, the digestive system needs time to recover. In these cases, enteral nutrition may not be appropriate immediately, as it may interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of complications. A proper medical evaluation is required before considering enteral nutrition in patients who have undergone recent gastrointestinal sur