Perspective Chapter: Parenteral Nutrition in Intensive Care

Abstract

Current guidelines state that early enteral nutrition, initiated within 48 hours, is superior to parenteral nutrition as the first choice in intensive care patients. However, it is an important tool that makes it possible to feed patients with Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction or a problem that prevents enteral nutrition. It has been shown that the administration of parenteral nutrition in addition to inadequate enteral nutrition can improve clinical outcomes. The parenteral route is less physiological than enteral nutritional support. Although it has a positive effect on the patient’s clinical course when used appropriately, improper use causes increased infectious complications, metabolic abnormalities and increased medical costs. In these respects, parenteral nutrition is important in intensive care. This chapter aims to evaluate the current parenteral nutrition strategy in the intensive care unit.