Table 1 Benefits and risks of parenteral and enteral nutrition.

Benefits

• Can be administered regardless of gut function

• Preserves gut mucosa and function

• Composition of formula can be modified according to patient needs

• More physiologic, less invasive

Risks

• Invasive procedure needed for administration

• Gut function limits rate and amount of administration

• Greater risk of hyperglycemia and overfeeding

• Difficult to modify composition of formula