The effect of intermittent versus continuous enteral feeding for critically ill patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objectives The appropriate strategy for enteral feeding in critically ill patients still remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to compare the effect of intermittent versus continuous method patients. Methods Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched up April 10th, 2023 randomized controlled trials evaluating primary outcomes intolerances, diarrhea, vomiting, distension, constipation, gastric retention, aspiration pneumonia. secondary mortality intensive care unit (ICU), length stay ICU, achievement nutritional goal. Results Thirteen studies with a total 884 analyzed meta-analysis. Overall, use was associated higher incidence diarrhea (OR 1.66, 95%CI 1.13 2.43, I 2 = 16%) distension 2.29, 1.16 4.51, 0%), lower constipation 0.58, 0.37 0.90, longer ICU (MD 1.09, 0.53 1.64, 0%). Moreover, no significant difference identified other outcome measures. Conclusion In patients, implementation stay, but occurrence constipation. Nevertheless, absence sufficient high-quality clinical precludes any definitive conclusions regarding optimal approach population. There is an imperative need more further assess efficacy two strategies.