Which factor can contribute to abdominal distention due to cold formula in enteral feeding?

• A. Cold formula
• B. Rapid administration
• C. Bacterial contamination
• D. Excess air in GI

Answer: (A)

Temperature of the enteral feed matters for gut motility and tolerance. A cold formula can blunt stomach and intestinal smooth muscle activity, slowing gastric emptying and delaying transit. When emptying is slowed, the fed volume lingers in the stomach and proximal gut, allowing gas to accumulate and causing abdominal distention and discomfort. Warming feeds to near body temperature tends to improve tolerance by promoting normal gastric emptying and reducing cramping and bloating. Other factors like rapid administration, contamination, or excess air can also cause distention, but the link to cold formula is through its cooling effect on GI motility and transit.