[Nutrition support in an intensive care unit: delivery versus requirements]

In critically ill patients nutritional deficiency is common. Considering this fact, the diary monitoring of energy delivered is extremely important. The objective of this study is to assess the adequacy of enteral nutrition (EN) in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and identify the reasons for interruptions in feeding.

Prospective study of adult patients admitted to ICU in period of 53 days. Patients receiving continuous enteral tube feeding (22 hours/day) exclusively and post-pyloric tube feeding position were followed. The feeding volume started at 25 mL/h and was increased until nutritional goal, guided by a feeding protocol.

33 patients between 18 and 85 years old were studied. 58% were male. The main admission diagnoses were cardiovascular diseases (27%) and septic shock (21%). The mean time to feeding was 25.3 hours after the patient admission and nutritional goal was achieved in a mean time of 32 hours. The total volume prescribed per day was sufficient to guarantee a mean of 26.1 kcal/kg of body weight and 1.04 g of protein/kg of body weight. Patients received a mean of 19.5 kcal/kg of body weight and 0.8 g of protein/kg of body weight, which correspond a 74% of adequacy. Interruptions of feeding for routine procedures related to patients accounted for 40.6% of the total reasons.

The nutritional support is adequate considering the literature for these patients, who clinical instability causes gastrointestinal intolerance. The effective participation of the Nutrition Therapy Team can contribute positively on nutritional therapy.