Metabolic abnormalities in patients supported with enteral tube feeding.

One hundred patients supported with enteral tube feeding were evaluated for biochemical abnormalities. The following metabolic complications were observed: hyperglycemia (29%), hypoglycermia (2%) hypernatremia (10%), hyponatremia (31%), hyperkalemia (40%) hypokalemia (8%), hyperphosphatemia (14%) hypophosphatemia (30%) hypomagnesemia (3%), hypozincemia (11%), and hypocupremia (3%). Because of the extensive range of biochemical problems, it is recommended that subjects on tube feeding be evaluated periodically for metabolic abnormalities.