Assessing the metabolic and clinical consequences of early enteral feeding in the malnourished patient.

Background: It is often thought that enteral feeding should be initiated slowly in those who are severely malnourished. This descriptive study examined the effect of an enteral feeding protocol on the typical metabolic consequences seen in refeeding syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 51 patients who had been placed on hospital-wide enteral feeding and electrolyte replacement protocols over a 9-month period to determine whether there were any negative clinical consequences to early feeding.