Effects of Semi-Solid Enteral Formula on Aspiration Pneumonia and Diarrhea

Objective: The effects of semi-solid enteral formula were investigated in tube feeding patients with aspiration pneumonia and/or diarrhea caused by liquid enteral formula. Methods: In 25 cases of aspiration pneumonia and 10 cases of diarrhea (5 cases had both aspiration pneumonia and diarrhea) caused by liquid enteral formula, the rate of improvement by changing the liquid enteral formula to semi-solid enteral formula was studied. The semi-solid enteral formula (PG Soft® EJ) was infused via the nasogastric tube (16Fr) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube (20Fr). Results: The semi-solid enteral formula was effective in 72% of aspiration pneumonia cases and in 80% of diarrhea cases. Constipation was observed in one case but was controlled with magnesium oxide. Conclusion: In cases of aspiration pneumonia and/or diarrhea, changing liquid enteral formula to semi-solid enteral formula frequently shows improvement.