Nutrition support for patients in the intensive care unit. Issue 960 (6th October 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffiths, R D; Bongers, T
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 81:Issue 960(2005)
• Page Start: 629
• Page End: 636
• Publication Date: 2005-10-06
• Subjects: EN, enteral nutrition -- PN, parental nutrition -- ICU, intensive care unit -- NJ, nasojejunal -- NG, nasogastric -- BMI, body mass index; parenteral nutrition -- enteral nutrition -- intensive care -- critical care -- infection -- glutamine -- risk -- benefit; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2005.033399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Enteral nutrition (EN) is the mainstay of nutrition delivery within intensive care seeking to capitalise on its benefits for the gastrointestinal tract and associated immune system, but this has brought new challenges in delivery to the sick. The hoped for benefit has led to the mistaken belief by some that parenteral nutrition (PN) is no longer required. However, a greater appreciation of the risks of EN delivery in the sick patient combined with improvements in PN formulation and use help explain why PN is not as risky as some have believed. Real outcome benefits have been described with the new glutamine containing PN formulations. PN remains important in the presence of gastrointestinal feed intolerance or failure.