Early enteral nutrition initiation in children with ECMO

Our aim is to understand the impact of the timing of enteral nutrition on energy and protein intake and the use of vasoactive agents during ECMO treatment in critically ill children, in order to investigate whether early (within 24 hours) enteral nutrition is safe and feasible in children on ECMO. The energy and protein intake during ECMO treatment in critically ill children is generally severely inadequate. Early initiation of enteral nutrition within 24h is safe and feasible for children treated with ECMO, and may result in more adequate energy and protein intake. The use of vasoactive agents does not affect the initiation of early enteral nutrition. Early enteral nutrition within 24h does not increase the dose of vasoactive agents.