Posted On: Sep-2022 | Categories : Healthcare
Everyone requires food to survive. Because of an illness, a person may be unable to consume any or enough food. Others may have a loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, or surgery that interferes with eating. When this happens, and a person cannot eat, nutrition shall be provided differently. "Enteral nutrition" or "tube feeding" is one method. The global enteral feeding tube market was $3.48 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach $6.088 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 6.38% throughout the forecast period 2021-2030. Food is broken down and then absorbed in the bowels during normal digestion. The blood transports these absorbed products to the body.
Tube feeding is a special liquid food containing protein, carbohydrates (sugar), fats, vitamins, and minerals that is delivered into the stomach or small intestine via a tube. Tube feeding is provided to people of all ages. It can be given to infants, children, and adults alike. Tube feeding can keep people alive for as long as they need it. Tube feeding is often used for a short period and then removed when the person can eat enough by mouth.
Some conditions which need the enteral feeding tube are:
Gastrointestinal dysfunction
Head or neck cancer that makes swallowing painful
Neurological disorders such as stroke and paralysis
The duration of enteral nutrition varies depending on the individual. People may use a feeding tube for a few weeks, several months, or years, depending on the reason for the tube. People are forced to use a feeding tube for the rest of their lives after surgery or an injury impairs their ability to obtain adequate nutrition through eating.
Diabetes, for example, has been increasing over the years and is expected to continue to rise. According to a 2021 update from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years) have diabetes. According to the same source, the total number of diabetics is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. one in every four adults with diabetes lives in low- and middle-income countries, and nearly one in every two (240 million) adults with diabetes is undiagnosed. Enteral nutrition reduces the risk of malnutrition in diabetic patients by providing essential macro- and micronutrients such as energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
The United States dominated the North American enteral feeding device market. The region is a hub for research and development activities, and its policies and investment support encourage key players to establish their headquarters there. The substantial industry share can be attributed to several factors, including the global acceptance of enteral feeding devices in home care settings, the incidence of chronic illnesses, and the rising number of premature births across the country. Premature births and their complications are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Every year, approximately 380,000 infants are born prematurely in the United States, with the premature birth rate hovering around 9.8%.
An increase in the number of patients in the United States suffering from gastrointestinal disorders drives the adoption of tube nutrition in North America. As per a report by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 7 out of 10 deaths each year.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, 10th Edition, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the United States in 2021 was 32,215.3, and the number is expected to rise to 36,289.9 by 2045. Diabetes patients have a threefold increased risk of being hospitalized. Many complications associated with poorly managed diabetes, such as strokes, may necessitate enteral feeding.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to have the fastest CAGR of 5.5% in the forecast period. The introduction of advanced medical equipment and expanding healthcare infrastructure are expected to drive market growth. Furthermore, rising hospital admissions, preterm births, malnourished populations, and aging populations are some key factors driving the market. According to a Lancet Global Health article, more than 1 million preterm births occur annually in China.
The type of feeding tube used will be defined by the nature of the problem. Based on long-term and short term there are four types of feeding tubes.
Short-term Feeding Tubes
Nasogastric tube: This tube is inserted through the nose and down the throat. It is passed through the esophagus and into the stomach. It can be left in place for four to six weeks before being removed or replaced with a long-term feeding tube.
Orogastric tube: This tube is similar to the NG tube but is inserted into the mouth instead. It then travels through the throat, esophagus, and stomach in the same manner. It can stay for up to two weeks before being removed or replaced.
Long-term Feeding Tubes
Gastric tube: The G tube provides direct access to the stomach via a surgical cut in the upper left side of your abdomen. It means it completely avoids the mouth and throat. It enables the administration of food, fluids, and medication without swallowing.
Jejunostomy tube: The J tube, like the G tube, is inserted through an incision in the abdomen. However, this cut is lower than the G tube, so the tube ends in the jejunum, the middle third of the small intestine. Because it is smaller than the G tube, it can only handle thin liquids and powdered drugs.
References -
https://www.strategicmarketresearch.com/market-report/enteral-feeding-devices-market
https://idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes/facts-figures.html
https://www.marchofdimes.org/mission/prematurity-campaign.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/