Nutrition in spinal cord injury patients

The nutrient intake and some indices of nutritional state were studied in 22 quadriplegic and 15 paraplegic patients. When measured over two 5-day periods, the average caloric intake recommended for comparable healthy men (2,700 kcal/day) was not achieved by 75% of the quadriplegic and 47% of the paraplegic patients. No overt signs of malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies were observed, but the average hematocrit and serum albumin levels were at the lower limits of normal. The reduced energy needs of spinal cord patients should be considered in the development of desirable nutritional norms for this patient population.