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. 2014 Jul 14;20(26):8505–8524. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8505

Table 1.

Tube-related complications of enteral tube feeding[203]

Mechanical complications Tube obstruction
Primary malposition
Perforation of the intestinal tract
Secondary displacement of the feeding tube
Knotting of the tube
Accidental tube removal
Breakage and leakage of the tube Leakage and bleeding from insertion site
Erosion, ulceration and necrosis of skin and mucosa
Intestinal obstruction (ileus)
Hemorrhage
Inadvertent IV infusion of enteral diet
Infectious complications Infection at the tube insertion site
Aspiration pneumonia
Nasopharyngeal and ear infections
Peritonitis
Infective diarrhea
Metabolic complications Electrolyte disturbances
Hyper- and hypoglycemia
Vitamin and trace element deficiency
Tube feeding syndrome (“Refeeding syndrome”)