📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
Enteral nutrition is the preferred route of nutritional support for hospitalised children who cannot meet their nutritional requirements through oral intake, and adherence to established protocols is essential to achieving therapeutic goals. This study assesses adherence to enteral nutrition protocols in paediatric wards at the National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. Inadequate enteral nutrition delivery due to protocol non-adherence is associated with underfeeding, which prolongs hospitalisation and worsens outcomes in critically and chronically ill children. A prospective observational study was conducted over four months, enrolling 80 children aged 1 to 12 years receiving tube feeding. Daily prescribed versus delivered calories and protein were compared, with caloric delivery rates calculated from nursing records and actual feed volumes. Reasons for feeding interruptions including tube displacement, feed intolerance, fasting for procedures, and nursing errors were documented. Nursing staff knowledge of enteral feeding indications, formula selection, and complication management was assessed through structured interviews. The involvement of paediatric dietitians in feed prescription and monitoring was evaluated. Findings are expected to reveal frequent feeding gaps between prescriptions and delivery, with nursing knowledge deficits and procedural fasting as primary contributors. The study recommends implementation of a nurse-led feeding protocol, regular competency assessments, and integration of paediatric dietitians into ward rounds. Keywords: enteral nutrition, paediatric wards, protocol adherence, Abuja, nutritional support.
Need Complete Chapters of the Above Topic?
Get high-quality, Zero-AI research materials with current citations.
Request via WhatsApp 💬