Enteral nutrition and infection in the intensive care unit.

Nutritional support of critically ill patients is important since adverse effects of malnutrition are multiple and common. Nutrition via the enteral route is often preferred over central venous or total parenteral nutrition due to its relative ease of administration, lower cost, and infrequent association with severe complication. Enteral nutrition and infection are related. Infectious complications of sepsis and nosocomial pneumonia can occur, but enteral nutrition also may be important in maintenance of normal gut structure and function, thereby decreasing bacterial translocation and the risk of systemic infection.