OBJECTIVETo explore the value and safety of the application of enteral nutrition in pediatric surgery.

METHODSClinical data of 56 children patients who could not undertake oral feeding or those who required enteral nutrition by nasojejunal tube over 7 days in our ward from June 2007 to May 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Children younger than one year old received enteral nutritional formulation Ai Er Shu mainly composed of short peptides or amino acids, and children over one year received Small peptide or Nengquansu mainly composed of short peptide.

RESULTSAmong these 56 children patients, primary disease was pancreatitis in 20 cases, lacerated wound in 10, duodenal perforation in 6, duodenal septum-shape stenosis in 9, annular pancreas in 6, and hepatoblastoma in 5. All the patients successfully completed the enteral nutrition therapy within 7-37 (18±9.9) days with good recovery. During the treatment, 5 cases (8.9%) developed diarrhea, 3 cases (5.4%) nausea and vomiting, 2 cases (3.6%) mild abdominal distension, 5 cases(8.9%) mild abdominal pain, and the symptoms were relieved after adjustment of nutrient solution concentration and infusion rate. After enteral nutrition for 10 days, the nutritional status of children was improved, and weight, blood red cell count, hemoglobin, serum albumin, prealbumin increased significantly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONApplication of enteral nutrition in pediatric surgery is safe and effective, which can improve the nutritional status of children and promote the recovery.