Enteral Feeding Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Possible complications of tube feeding include:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal cramping or bloating
• Breakdown of the skin surrounding the feeding tube
• Irritated or infected stoma (the opening made in the abdomen)
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Higher than normal phosphate levels in the blood
• Nausea and vomiting
• Inhaling the liquid formula into the lungs (aspiration)
• Clogged or dislodged feeding tube

If you have gastroesophageal reflux , you may be at increased risk for vomiting or aspirating.

Call Your Doctor

If you have tube feeding at home, you will be instructed to call your doctor right away if you have:

• Clogged tube
• Dislodged tube (most common during the first two weeks)
• Choking or difficulty breathing during the feeding
• Leaking of formula around the tube
• Redness, swelling, pain, bleeding, or discharge at the stoma site
• Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain
• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal swelling
• Severe abdominal pain
• Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration (eg, dry mouth, urinating infrequently, dark and/or bad smelling urine)