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Nutritional support of critically ill patients
M M McMahon1, M B Farnell, M J Murray
1Division of Endocrinology/Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Severe protein depletion in critical illness can be managed with nutritional support. While not achieving positive nitrogen balance, nutrition enhances protein synthesis, boosts immune function, and improves the body
Area of Science:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Metabolism
- Immunology
Background:
- Prolonged starvation and critical illness cause severe depletion of body protein stores.
- Cytokine actions significantly impact the interpretation of nutritional assessments in critically ill patients.
- Nutritional support strategies for hospitalized patients have evolved over the last decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To refine the interpretation of nutritional assessment in critically ill patients.
- To understand the role of nutrition in managing protein depletion during critical illness.
- To highlight the benefits of nutritional interventions in modifying the body's response to illness.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advances in understanding cytokine actions.
- Analysis of changes in nutritional program design over the past decade.
- Evaluation of the impact of nutritional support on protein synthesis and immune function.
Main Results:
- Nutritional support does not lead to positive nitrogen balance in critically ill patients.
- Nutrition interventions can increase protein synthesis.
- Nutritional support enhances immune function and beneficially modifies the body's response to illness.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cytokine actions is crucial for accurate nutritional assessment in critical illness.
- Despite not achieving positive nitrogen balance, nutritional support offers significant benefits.
- Optimized nutritional programs are essential for improving outcomes in critically ill patients.