Can an adequate energy intake be able to reverse the negative nitrogen balance in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients?

Abstract Purpose Adequate energy provision and nitrogen losses prevention of critically ill patients are essentials for treatment and recovery. The aims of this study were to evaluate energy expenditure (EE) and nitrogen balance (NB) of critically ill patients, to classify adequacy of energy intake (EI), and to verify adequacy of EI capacity to reverse the negative NB. Methods Seventeen patients from an intensive care unit were evaluated within a 24-hour period. Indirect calorimetry was performed to calculate patient's EE and Kjeldhal for urinary nitrogen analysis. The total EI and protein intake were calculated from the standard parenteral and enteral nutrition infused. Underfeeding was characterized as EI 90% or less and overfeeding as 110% or greater of EE. The adequacy of the EI (EI EE−1 × 100) and the NB were estimated and associated with each other by Spearman coefficient. Results The mean EE was 1515 ± 268 kcal d−1 , and most of the patients (11/14) presented a negative NB (−8.2 ± 4.7 g.d−1 ). A high rate (53%) of inadequate energy intake was found, and a positive correlation between EI EE−1 and NB was observed ( r = 0.670; P = .007). Conclusion The results show a high rate of inadequate EI and negative NB, and equilibrium between EI and EE may improve NB. Indirect calorimetry can be used to adjust the energy requirements in the critically ill patients.