NUTRITION ADEQUACY OF ETERNAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT AT KING ABDULAZIZ HOSPITAL AL-AHSA

Background: This study was to determine the adequacy of nutritional support by assessing energy and protein intake for the first four days after initiation of enteral nutrition among critically ill patients.

Methods: The prospective, cross sectional study carried out in a medical intensive care unit in King Abdulaziz hospital Al Ahsa from September 2020 to November 2020. 130 patients were enrolled. Patients were scheduled to receive their ordered enteral nutritional requirements. Their intake was compared with their requirement based on ASPEN guidelines for critically ill patients.

Results: Majority of respondents were (54.5%) in the age group of 50 to 75 years, males with mean height of 163.9(± 7.098)cms and weight of 69.87 (± 8.862). Infection, wound, and Sepsis were major metabolic stressor with high number of respondents were having cancer (49.2%), PEG tube was inserted (64.4 %), During the first 4 days of tube insertion, the mean intake of calories and fluid (1432.31±176.24  versus 1704 ±175.01 k.cal p< .05) and fluid(1432.31±176.24  versus 1704 ±175.01 ml p< .05) was statistically lower and protein (117.99 +/- 18.05 g versus 87.98 +/- 22.14 g p < .05) fat (66.25±16.25  versus 56.82 ±5.83 g, p< .05) was statistically greater for patients. Carbohydrate was (121.04±40.96 versus 180.32 ±27.07 g, p> .05) is statistically non-significant

Conclusions: The study result showed that under feeding was seen for energy and fluid among critically ill ICU patients and overfeeding was seen for protein, and fat. It is important to correct enteral nutrition intervention because that will help in tolerability of eternal feeding, duration of stay, economic burden on individuals and societies.