Abstract:Objective To investigate the impact of timing of nasojejunal feeding tube placement and enteralnutrition on clinical outcomes in children with acute pancreatitis. Methods A retrospective analysis was performedon the clinical data of 31 children with acute pancreatitis, who received nasojejunal feeding between January 2008 andJuly 2013, to investigate the relationship of abdominal symptoms/signs and serum amylase level with the tolerabilityof catheterization and success rate of enteral nutrition. The treatment outcome and incidence of adverse reactions andcomplications were compared between the early enteral nutrition group (≤7 days from the onset of the disease) and lateenteral nutrition group (>7 days from the onset of the disease). Results Abdominal symptoms/signs and serum amylaselevel were independent of the tolerable rate of catheterization and success rate of enteral nutrition. Compared withthe late enteral nutrition group, the early enteral nutrition group had a shortened time to normal serum amylase level,significantly reduced incidence of systemic complications, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization expenses, and lessweight gain. The tolerable rate of catheterization and success rate of enteral nutrition showed no significant differencebetween the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in the increase in albumin level after enteralnutrition, duration of enteral nutrition, incidence of adverse reactions, and incidence of local complications. Conclusions Abdominal symptoms/signs and serum amylase level cannot be used as a measure of whether nasojejunal feeding tubeplacement and enteral nutrition can be performed. Early enteral nutrition can better improve clinical outcomes in childrenwith acute pancreatitis, and it is feasible.