Enteral Nutrition Management in a Patient With Traumatic Brain Injury in the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Support

Background:

• Neurocritically ill patients face challenges in achieving adequate enteral nutrition (EN) due to increased intracranial pressure, seizures, and temperature management.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often leads to hypermetabolism, complicating nutritional requirements.

Observation:

• Early EN initiation in a TBI patient met initial targets but was followed by significant weight loss.
• Fluctuating clinical conditions and underestimated hypermetabolic demands delayed EN advancement.

Findings:

• A nutrition support team (NST) intervened with high-protein formulas, parenteral nutrition, and gastrointestinal management.
• The adjusted strategy aimed to overcome barriers to optimal EN delivery in a complex neurocritical care setting.

Implications:

• Individualized, multidisciplinary nutritional interventions are vital for improving clinical outcomes in neurocritically ill patients.
• The case underscores the importance of proactive NST involvement in managing complex nutritional needs post-TBI.