Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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Critically ill patients are hypermetabolic and have increased nutrient requirements. Although it is assumed that nutritional support is beneficial in this group of patients there are no well designed clinical trials to test this hypothesis. The rationale for nutritional support, therefore, is based upon clinical judgement. ⋯ Calorie intake was shown to be often considerably in excess of metabolic requirements alone, and variable study design has made comparisons impossible. Despite the lack of knowledge regarding even the most simple of nutritional requirements in these patients, the administration of specific micronutrients and specialised supplements has attracted attention. Again, many of these more recent studies are limited because of poor study design.