Enteral Medical Nutrition Market Research Report and Outlook by 2028

The global market for enteral medical nutrition is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately US$ 11,726.37 million by 2028, up from US$ 7,803.45 million in 2021. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2022 to 2028.

Enteral nutrition (EN) is essential for patients whose dietary needs cannot be satisfied through conventional food intake. The benefits of enteral nutrition compared to parenteral nutrition are well established. For many pediatric patients reliant on enteral nutrition, a standard polymeric formula that is age-appropriate and enriched with fibers is often the best option.

Several gastrointestinal disorders necessitate enteral nutrition, including Crohn's disease, trauma-related gastrointestinal issues, bowel obstruction (BO), microscopic colitis, short bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. According to a report by Healthline, around 40% of the global population was affected by functional gastrointestinal disorders in 2021. Medscape notes that in developed nations, intra-abdominal adhesions are the leading cause of small-bowel obstruction (SBO), accounting for approximately 65% to 75% of cases, followed by hernias. Conversely, in developing countries, hernias (30-40%), adhesions (about 30%), and tuberculosis (around 10%) are the primary causes of SBO. An article in the World Journal of Emergency Surgery highlights that bowel obstruction is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality, resulting in nearly 30,000 deaths and over US$3 billion in direct medical expenses annually. In the United States, bowel obstruction accounts for about 15% of hospital admissions due to acute abdominal pain, with around 20% of these cases requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily impacts the digestive tract. It is particularly prevalent in North America and Western Europe, with a prevalence rate of 100 to 300 per 100,000 individuals in these regions. Medline Plus reports that over half a million people in North America and Western Europe are currently living with Crohn's disease. Patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders often face nutritional challenges due to fasting for diagnostic procedures, dietary restrictions for treatment, and appetite loss stemming from the disease itself. As these patients are unable to consume food orally, enteral medical nutrition becomes the preferred method of nutritional support, driving the growth of the enteral medical nutrition market.

The enteral medical nutrition market is categorized based on various indications, including respiratory disorders, cancer, post-COVID-19 recovery, gastrointestinal disorders, liver failure, and others. The respiratory disorders segment, which includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory failure, and cystic fibrosis, held the largest market share in 2021. The rising incidence of respiratory diseases is a key factor propelling growth in this segment. According to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2018, there were 873,000 emergency department visits in the U.S. due to COPD. The cancer segment, which encompasses cancer cachexia and cachexia associated with COPD, is expected to experience the highest CAGR from 2022 to 2028. The gastrointestinal disorders segment includes bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, short bowel syndrome, and others.

In terms of nutrition type, the enteral medical nutrition market is divided into supplemental and sole-source categories. The supplemental segment accounted for a larger market share in 2021, but the sole-source segment is projected to grow at a faster rate during the forecast period.

When categorized by form, the market is divided into powder, liquid, and semi-solid formats. The semi-solid segment dominated the market in 2021 and is expected to maintain the highest growth rate in the coming years.

Product-wise, the enteral medical nutrition market includes standard protein diets, high protein diets, fruit juice-based oral nutrition, and other products. The standard protein diet segment was the largest in 2021, while the fruit juice-based oral nutritional supplement segment is anticipated to achieve the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Distribution channels for enteral medical nutrition include hospital pharmacies, retail stores, and other pharmacies. In 2021, hospital pharmacies held the largest market share, but retail stores are expected to see the most significant growth in the forecast period.

Lastly, the market is segmented by age into children (up to 18 years) and adults (18 years and older). The adult segment represented a larger share in 2021, although the child segment is projected to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period.

Key organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are among the primary and secondary sources referenced in the analysis of the enteral medical nutrition market.