For which condition is small bowel feeding an indication?

Small bowel feeding is indicated in the context of congenital upper gastrointestinal (GI) anomalies. These anomalies can create situations where traditional feeding methods, which rely on normal gastric function, are not viable due to structural or functional issues in the upper GI tract.

In cases of congenital upper GI anomalies, such as esophageal atresia or certain types of gastric outlet obstructions, oral or gastric feeding may not be possible or safe, leading to the necessity of feeding directly into the small intestine. This method bypasses the problematic areas, allowing for nutrition without causing obstruction or other complications associated with feeding through the stomach or esophagus.

Other conditions mentioned, such as normal gastric function, stable esophageal function, and full oral intake capabilities, typically imply that the digestive system can handle standard feeding routes, making small bowel feeding unnecessary and inefficient in those scenarios.