Nutrition therapy for critically ill and injured patients

Abstract

Background: Nutrition support has undergone significant advances in recent decades, revolutionizing the care of critically ill and injured patients. However, providing adequate and optimal nutrition therapy for such patients is very challenging: it requires careful attention and an understanding of the biology of the individual patient's disease or injury process, including insight into the consequent changes in nutrients needed.

Objective: The objective of this article is to review the current principles and practices of providing nutrition therapy for critically ill and injured patients.

Methods: Review of the literature and evidence-based guidelines.

Results: The evidence demonstrates the need to understand the biology of nutrition therapy for critically ill and injured patients, tailored to their individual disease or injury, age, and comorbidities.

Conclusion: Nutrition therapy for critically ill and injured patients has become an important part of their overall care. No longer should we consider nutrition for critically ill and injured patients just as "support" but, rather, as "therapy", because it is, indeed, a key therapeutic modality.

Keywords: Critically ill patients; Immune nutrition; Immune-enhancing diet; Immune-modulating diet; Intensive care unit; Nutrition therapy.