Complications of enteral nutrition
| Mechanical |
| Unable to pass a tube |
| Malposition (tube placement into the trachea, pneumothorax, intracranial placement) |
| Unwanted removal |
| Blockage |
| Nasopharyngeal pain, erosions, sinusitis, otitis media |
| Hoarseness, laryngeal ulceration |
| Oesophageal erosions, oesophagitis, and strictures |
| Tracheo-oesophageal fistula, variceal rupture |
| Duodenal perforation |
| Gastrointestinal |
| Diarrhoea or constipation |
| Bloating |
| Abdominal distension |
| Reflux |
| Nausea |
| Cramps |
| Regurgitation |
| Pulmonary aspiration |
| Drug interactions |
| Metabolic/biochemical |
| Vitamin, mineral, trace element, essential fatty acid deficiencies |
| Hyperglycaemia |
| Hyperkalaemia |
| Hypophosphataemia |
| Hypomagnesaemia |
| Hypozincaemia |
| (most common) |
| Miscellaneous |
| Abnormal liver function tests |
| Pulmonary aspiration |
| Feed contamination and resulting infection |