Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Enteral and Parenteral?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Enteral and Parenteral?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between enteral and parenteral nutrition lies in the route of administration. Enteral nutrition is administered through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, while parenteral nutrition bypasses the digestive system and is administered directly into the bloodstream.

Enteral nutrition:

  • Delivered through a tube placed into the stomach or small intestine.
  • Includes a normal oral diet, liquid supplements, or tube feeding.
  • Less invasive and less costly than parenteral nutrition.
  • Allows for more efficient nutrient consumption and encourages the body's natural processes.
  • Entails fewer complications and is generally preferred when technically possible.

Parenteral nutrition:

  • Administered intravenously through a catheter.
  • Used when individuals cannot use their digestive systems due to specific conditions.
  • Can be supplementary (partial) or complete (total parenteral nutrition).
  • Considered riskier than enteral feeding due to a higher risk of infection and other complications.

In summary, enteral nutrition is less invasive and generally preferred over parenteral nutrition when possible. However, parenteral nutrition is used when individuals cannot use their digestive systems, providing essential nutrients through an IV catheter.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Enteral and Parenteral?
  • Comparative Table: Enteral vs Parenteral

    • Comparative Table: Enteral vs Parenteral

    Enteral and parenteral nutrition are two methods of providing nutrition to patients who are unable to consume food orally. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two methods:

    Feature Enteral Nutrition Parenteral Nutrition
    Definition Enteral nutrition refers to the process of delivering food in liquid form directly to the stomach or small intestine using a feeding tube. Parenteral nutrition refers to the administration of liquid nutrition directly into the veins.
    Overall Method Nutrients are delivered to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where digestive processes take place. Nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream to be transported to the organs.
    Complications and Risks Generally considered less risky and less invasive. Considered riskier compared to enteral nutrition, but can result in improved energy and health.
    Examples Nasogastric tube feeding, gastrostomy tube feeding. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which aims to meet 100% of a patient's nutritional needs, and partial parenteral nutrition (PPN), which provides a partial amount of a patient's nutritional needs as a supplement.

    In summary, enteral nutrition is a less invasive method that delivers nutrients to the GI tract, while parenteral nutrition is a riskier method that delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream. Enteral nutrition is generally preferred when both options are available.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.