Is bolus or continuous enteral feeding better in critically ill children: an evidence-based review

Littler, H; Tume, LN

Abstract

Inadequate nutrition can lead to increased morbidity and mortality for mechanically ventilated children in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Enteral feeding can either be delivered by gravity bolus (intermittent) feeding or continuously via a pump and in UK PICUs variable practice exists. This evidence-based review therefore aimed to examine the evidence surrounding the two feeding methods for ventilated children, to determine whether one provides better enteral nutrition. Four papers were included, three randomized controlled trials and a systematic review, which provide conflicting evidence. There is some suggestion that bolus feeding may be superior in medical children on PICU to achieve their energy and protein goals faster, however, the clinical significance of the results is questionable and further research is needed to identify whether one method of feeding can impact on patient outcomes.

Citation

Littler, H., & Tume, L. (2022). Is bolus or continuous enteral feeding better in critically ill children: an evidence-based review. Nursing in Critical Care, 28(1), 36-39. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12788

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 14, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 31, 2022
• Publication Date: May 31, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jun 21, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 1, 2023
• Journal: Nursing In Critical Care
• Print ISSN: 1362-1017
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-5153
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 36-39
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12788
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12788
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Is bolus or continuous enteral feeding better in critically ill children: An evidence-based review, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12788. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.