Nutrition in Pediatric Intensive Care Units

The limited energy stores and fast metabolism of sick children in the intensive care unit, as well as the intense stress caused by the critical illness, reveal the importance of nutrition. Adequate and balanced nutritional care for critically ill children improves the clinical course and prognosis. In order to provide appropriate nutritional support, it is important to evaluate the nutritional status of the critical patient in detail and integrity. In the critically ill child with a functioning gastrointestinal tract, the enteral route is preferable to parenteral nutrition. In cases where the digestive system is not used completely or adequately, parenteral nutrition should be applied.