Metabolic assessment and enteral tube feeding usage in children with acute neurological diseases

Abstract

Children with acute neurological diseases are hypercatabolic and have high urinary nitrogen losses. The initial negative nitrogen balance can be increased by more aggressive feeding regimes than the usual ones. Early tube feeding was well tolerated, which permits the conclusion that it is a safe and effective method for nutrition support. Recommendations of basic rules for metabolic support are made.

Nutritional Alterations Associated with Neurological and Neurosurgical Diseases

“…[ 67 ] A meta-analysis of early EN in “critically ill” surgical patients supported the view that it reduces the incidence of infection but evidence that real outcome is influenced is lacking [ 68 ]. Even though the evidence favours enteral nutrition, due to its lower risk of complications and low cost, problems such as alteration of consciousness level and gastric motility abnormalities can delay the beginning of enteral tube feeding, leading to the more frequent use of parenteral nutrition in the first week following the neurological injury [ 69 ].…”