Physicians' perceptions about managing enteral nutrition and the implementation of tools to assist in nutritional decision-making in a paediatric intensive care unit

Towards Achieving Nutrition Goal in Critically Ill Patients: Need a Simple Yet Effective Bedside Tool

How to cite this article: Wali S, Gutte SH, Gurjar M. Towards Achieving Nutrition Goal in Critically Ill Patients: Need a Simple Yet Effective Bedside Tool. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(6):379-380.

Impact of Visual Nutritional Indicator on the Nutritional Therapy in Intensive Care Unit

Background

We wanted to evaluate if a visual nutritional indicator (VNI), which shows the total amount of calories and protein, can improve the quality of nutritional therapy (NT) and result in better clinical outcomes prospectively.

Materials and methods

We randomly assigned patients to VNI or non-VNI (NVNI) groups. In the VNI group, VNI was attached to the patient's bed for the attending physician. The primary goal was a higher supply of calories and proteins. The secondary goals were the shorter length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy.

Results

The total calorie supply was 18.6 kcal/kg and 15.6 kcal/kg in the VNI and NVNI groups, respectively (p = 0.04). The total protein supply was 0.92 g/kg and 0.71 g/kg, respectively (p = 0.05). The length of ICU stay was 5.6 days and 5.3 days in the VNI and NVNI groups, respectively (p = 0.09). The length of mechanical ventilation was 3.6 days and 3.8 days, respectively (p = 0.07). The length of renal replacement therapy was 5.7 days and 6.3 days, respectively (p = 0.13). The mortality on the seventh day was 14.6% and 16.1% in the VNI and NVNI groups, respectively (p = 0.08). The mortality on the thirtieth day was 20 and 20.8%, respectively (p = 0.87).

Conclusion

Visual nutritional indicator, indicating the total amount of calories and protein provided, can improve the quality of NT but fail to obtain a better clinical outcome.

How to cite this article

Mun S. Impact of Visual Nutritional Indicator on the Nutritional Therapy in Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(6):392-396.