This observational and retrospective study aimed to describe the profile of patients and the characteristics of the Enteral Nutrition Therapy (ENT), as well as to analyze the complications of this therapy and the associated factors in hospitalized adult patients. The study consisted of a sample of 214 patients, hospitalized between 2008 and 2009 at a university hospital in the city of São Paulo. Data were collected from medical records and of nutritional assessment sheets, using a form developed for the study. Results showed that: 1 a-) in relation to patient profiles and enteral nutrition therapyparticipants were predominantly male (55.6%), with an average age of 64.8 years, hospitalized in semi-intensive and intensive care units (66.8%); b-) Concerning enteral nutrition therapy, the average days of enteral nutrition was 13.2 days, and 43.5% of the patients received it for up to one week. As for the route of enteral access, nasoenteric feeding tube (96.3%) and continuous feeding administration (67.3%) were the most common. 2-) regarding the complications of ENT and the observed events-of the 214 patients of the sample, 200 had complications during the use of enteral nutrition. There was occurrence of gastrointestinal (90.5%), metabolic (55.0%), mechanical (41.5%) and pulmonary (13.0%) complications. The most frequently observed events among gastrointestinal complication were: abdominal distention (33.4%), constipation (17.5%) and high gastric residual volume (GRV) (14.6%). Among the metabolic complication, hyperglycemia (55.0%) was observed, with average of 174.2 mg/dL. The predominant events resulting from mechanical complication were unexpected withdrawal of enteral feeding tube (70.5%), followed by obstruction of enteral feeding tube (19.0%). As for pulmonary complication, pulmonary aspiration (13.0%) was the observed event. 5-) Concerning the method of infusion, there was significant association of continuous infusion with the following events observed in gastrointestinal complication: high GRV (p=0.000), constipation (p=0.010) and abdominal distension (p=0.037). Among the mechanical complication, there was significant association with intermittent infusion at the following events: unexpected withdrawal of enteral feeding tube (p=0.005) and displacement of enteral feeding tube (p=0.040). 6-) Regarding drug therapy, there was significant association of metabolic complication (hyperglycemia) and use of sedatives/opioids (p=0.000) and vasoactive drugs (p=0.000). This study evidenced that complications concomitant with ENT are very prevalent in this population (93.5%). Moreover, it was found that there is a high occurrence of observed events (617), with complications (400) presenting significant intersections with other variables described above. Therefore, research on the clinical conditions, treatments and care to the use of enteral feeding tubes should be constantly indicated, particularly for nurses who are responsible for the administration and monitoring of enteral nutrition.