Burns as the Outlier in Early Enteral Nutrition in Critical Illness

This article aims to review the current literature regarding early enteral nutrition in burn patients.Recent FindingsEarly enteral feeding is thought to be an important component of modulating the hypermetabolic and inflammatory response seen in critical illness. This dogma has been questioned by studies indicating that permissive underfeeding in the first phase of critical illness might be of benefit. However, these studies lack stratification to evaluate outcomes in the burn population, specifically. Studies that do evaluate early enteral nutrition in the burn population have revealed reduced morbidity and mortality with this nutrition strategy.SummaryThe hypermetabolic response that occurs in severe burns makes this form of injury unique. Evidence supports early enteral nutrition as the gold standard in this population. Future advances in the field of nutrition must be evaluated in the burn population, specifically, before being applied to patients with this form of critical illness.

Source: Current Surgery Reports - January 16, 2020 Category: Surgery Source Type: research