Enteral tube feeding: Safety and tolerance of nutritional supplements in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: Most of the patients in intensive care unit (ICU) present nutritional challenges which needs to be compensated using enteral tube feeding (ETF). Maxvida™ is a commercially available balanced nutrition supplement with antioxidants, bone strengthening and hemoglobin forming nutrients. However, its benefits in patients have not yet been established. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of Maxvida™ in ICU patients.Design: This was a two-week, prospective, open label, investigator-initiated study conducted between June-2016 to August-2016.Methods: Participants of either sex, aged ≥18 years, hospitalized for minimum two days, requiring enteral feeding were given two feeds of Maxvida™ (30 gm diluted in 100 mL of water) along with four standard kitchen feeds at different timings. Primary endpoint was to monitor continuous GI tolerance. Secondary endpoints were change in leukocyte count, nutrient, renal, hepatic and hematological parameters. Data was analyzed descriptively using paired t-test and p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Fifteen (11 males, 4 females, mean age: 46.3 ± 8.9 years) participants were enrolled. None of them reported gastric intolerance. A significant improvement in hemoglobin (p=0.03), hematocrit (p=0.003), white blood cells (p=0.0001*) levels was reported while RBC, platelet, differential leukocyte count also improved gradually. Conclusion:Maxvida™ administered with hospital kitchen feed were found to be safe and gastro-intestinally well tolerated by all the participants.