Evaluation of nutrition status in critically ill patients

Abstract

Background:The present study was conducted to assess nutrition status in critically ill patients.Materials & Methods:54 critically ill patients of both gender admitted to ICU was recorded. The nutritional status of all patients was evaluated by using SGA rating at admission. The date of initiation of enteral feeding with reasons for delay in initiation was noted. Results: APACHE II 0-9 was seen in 4, 10-19 in 22, 20-29 in 26 and >30 in 2 patients. Diagnosis was cardiovascular in 23, neurological in 14, hepatorenal in 10 and sepsis in 7 cases. The reasons for not initiating enteral feeds was haemodynamic instability in 27, started on oral feeds in 16, GI bleed in 6 and Drowsy/On NIBiPAP in 5 patients. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion:Malnutrition is commonly present at admission among medical ICU patients.