Enteral nutrition by nasogastric tube in adult patients treated with intensive chemotherapy for acute leukemia.

In this study, nutritional status 3 wk after starting 20 induction course of chemotherapy with enteral nasogastric tube feeding was compared to the nutritional status after 35 courses with a normal oral hospital diet. Tube feeding consisted of 2000 to 3000 cal daily of a hospital made pasteurized formula or sterile Nutrison RTS. In the group fed by nasogastric tube the mean weight loss was significantly smaller (p less than 0.01) and there were fewer patients with a severe weight loss of more than 5% during the first 3 wk (p less than 0.01) than in the hospital diet group. Serum albumin reduction of more than 10% was present in 4/20 and 23/35 for each group respectively (p less than 0.01). Bacterial contamination occurred in the pasteurized hospital-made formula which led to Pseudomonas septicemia in one patient. During a short-term catabolic state (3 wk) sterile feeding by nasogastric tube can prevent weight loss and hypoalbuminemia in most patients. Bacteriological control of the food and supply system is mandatory in granulocytopenic patients.