Objective To assess the effect of early enteral nutrition on nitrogen balance

immune function and prognosis of stroke patients complicated with dysphagia.Methods A total of 72 stroke patients with dysphagia who were treated at the Department of Neurology of a Hunan hospital between February 2015 and February 2016 were included in this study.Based on a random number table

patients were divided into the trial group（n=36）and the control group（n=36）.In addition to routine care

patients in the trial group received enteral nutrition support via a nasointestinal tube within 48 hours of admission;while those in the control group received routine semi-liquid diet.The status of nitrogen balance at week 1

week 2

week 3

and week 4

the immune function markers including the serum IgG

IgA

and IgM

as well as the nutritional markers including the hemoglobin（Hb）

prealbumin（PA）

albumin（ALB）at baseline and day 10 were measured and compared between the two groups.Besides

the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale（NIHSS）

Glasgow Coma Scale（GCS）and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation Scoring System Ⅱ（APACHE-Ⅱ）at baseline and day 10 were also assessed and compared between the two groups.The occurrence of complications was also recorded throughout the study.Results At baseline

a state of negative nitrogen balance was observed in all patients

and then was significantly improved in both groups

with greater improvement in the trial group as compared with that in the control group at week 1

week 2

week 3

and week 4（P<0.05）.At day 10

the IgG

IgA and IgM levels in the trial group were significantly higher in the trial group than those in the control group（P<0.05）;the Hb

PA and ALB levels were also significantly higher in the trial group than those in the control group（P<0.05）.The NIHSS and APACHE-Ⅱscores were significantly lower in the trial group than those in the control group（P<0.05）

while the GCS score was significantly higher in the trial group than that in the control group（P<0.05）.In addition

compared with the control group

the incidences of aspiration

pulmonary infection

diarrhea and abdominal distention were significantly lower in the trial group（P<0.05）.Conclusion For stroke patients complicated with dysphagia

early enteral nutrition seems to be effective in improving the nutrition status and immune function

correcting negative nitrogen balance

restoring neurological functions

and reducing complications

which may help to improve the prognosis of these patients.