Nutritional support in head injury

Clinical Management in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is one of the major public healthcare burdens in the US, with millions of patients suffering from the traumatic brain injury itself (approximately 1.6 million/year) or its repercussions (2-6 million patients with disabilities). The severity of traumatic brain injury can range from mild transient neurological dysfunction or impairment to severe profound disability that leaves patients completely non-functional. Indications for treatment differ based on the injury's severity, but one of the goals of early treatment is to prevent secondary brain injury. Hemodynamic stability, monitoring and treatment of intracranial pressure, maintenance of cerebral perfusion pressure, support of adequate oxygenation and ventilation, administration of hyperosmolar agents and/or sedatives, nutritional support, and seizure prophylaxis are the mainstays of medical treatment for severe traumatic brain injury. Surgical management options include decompressive craniectomy or cerebrospinal fluid drainage via the insertion of an external ventricular drain. Several emerging treatment modalities are being investigated, such as anti-excitotoxic agents, anti-ischemic and cerebral dysregulation agents, S100B protein, erythropoietin, endogenous neuroprotectors, anti-inflammatory agents, and stem cell and neuronal restoration agents, among others.

Pathogenesis from the microbial-gut-brain axis in white matter injury in preterm infants: A review

White matter injury (WMI) in premature infants is a unique form of brain injury and a common cause of chronic nervous system conditions such as cerebral palsy and neurobehavioral disorders. Very preterm infants who survive are at high risk of WMI. With developing research regarding the pathogenesis of premature WMI, the role of gut microbiota has attracted increasing attention in this field. As premature infants are a special group, early microbial colonization of the microbiome can affect brain development, and microbiome optimization can improve outcomes regarding nervous system development. As an important communication medium between the gut and the nervous system, intestinal microbes form a microbial-gut-brain axis. This axis affects the occurrence of WMI in premature infants via the metabolites produced by intestinal microorganisms, while also regulating cytokines and mediating oxidative stress. At the same time, deficiencies in the microbiota and their metabolites may exacerbate WMI in premature infants. This confers promise for probiotics and prebiotics as treatments for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. Therefore, this review attempted to elucidate the potential mechanisms behind the communication of gut bacteria and the immature brain through the gut-brain axis, so as to provide a reference for further prevention and treatment of premature WMI.

Music Is Served: How Acoustic Interventions in Hospital Dining Environments Can Improve Patient Mealtime Wellbeing

Eating-related challenges and discomforts arising from moderately acquired brain injuries (ABI)—including physiological and cognitive difficulties—can interfere with patients’ eating experience and impede the recovery process. At the same time, external environmental factors have been proven to be influential in our mealtime experience. This experimental pilot study investigates whether redesigning the sonic environment in hospital dining areas can positively influence ABI patients’ (n = 17) nutritional state and mealtime experience. Using a three-phase between-subjects interventional design, we investigate the effects of installing sound proofing materials and playing music during the lunch meals at a specialised ABI hospital unit. Comprising both quantitative and qualitative research approaches and data acquisition methods, this project provides multidisciplinary and holistic insights into the importance of attending to sound in hospital surroundings. Our results demonstrate that improved acoustics and music playback during lunch meals might improve the mealtime atmosphere, the patient well-being, and social interaction, which potentially supports patient food intake and nutritional state. The results are discussed in terms of potential future implications for the healthcare sector.

Body composition measures may help target fundamental nutritional nursing efforts in rehabilitating patients with acquired brain injury

Aim

To illuminate using body composition measurements for malnutrition measured by Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA), as opposed to body mass index (BMI), and discuss benefits and burdens for fundamental nursing care.

Design

A second analysis of a prospective, descriptive cohort study, targeting fundamental nursing care elements.

Methods

This postevaluation study explored data from a prospective, descriptive cohort study, which consecutively included 92 patients admitted for neurorehabilitation care. Measures of nutritional status were BMI and FFMI. Chi‐Square test and Multivariable logistic regression were used.

Results

Body composition measures rather than BMI contributed to target individual nutritional nursing care as this measure detected more patients at potential risk of malnutrition and indicated minor changes in the nutritional state. Transitions from being malnourished to a normal nutritional status occurred in 29% using the BMI definition while it was the case in 40% of individuals with malnutrition defined by the body composition.

Improving nutrition care for neurosurgery patients through a nurse-led transition feeding protocol

AIM

Neurosurgical patients often transition from enteral nutrition (EN) to oral nutrition (ON) as they recover. Implementing a nurse-led feeding protocol to guide this transition may improve consistency of nutrition care and dietitian workload efficiency. This pragmatic study aimed to evaluate the effect of such a protocol on these outcomes and on nurses' nutrition care attitudes, practices and knowledge.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively for 1 year pre- and prospectively for 1 year post-implementation of the transition feeding protocol (TFP). Participants who transitioned from EN to ON were included in the study. Post-implementation nurses in the neurosurgery ward were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire to investigate attitudes, practices and knowledge.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirteen participants, 55 pre- and 58 post-implementation, took part in the study. Significantly more patients received transition feeding (TF) post-implementation (58% vs 93%, P < 0.001), there was a statistically significant improvement in the commencement of TF (0 vs 1 day after ON clearance; P = 0.029), and all patients consumed adequate oral intake 1-week post-EN cessation (92.3% vs 100%, P = 0.078). There was no difference in dietetic occasions of service post-implementation (2 vs 1.5; P = 0.204). A 38% survey response rate from nursing staff (n = 15) was achieved. More nurses were found to be initiating TF (P < 0.001) and a majority reported a perceived increase in knowledge and confidence in providing nutrition support.

CONCLUSIONS

A TFP can optimise the transition from EN to ON by improving consistency and commencement of TF and nurses' confidence and knowledge in overall nutrition care.

Practice Guidelines for Nutrition in Critically Ill Patients: A Relook for Indian Scenario

Background and Aim:

Intensive-care practices and settings may differ for India in comparison to other countries. While international guidelines are available to direct the use of enteral nutrition (EN), there are no recommendations specific to Indian settings. Advisory board meetings were arranged to develop the practice guidelines specific to Indian context, for the use of EN in critically ill patients and to overcome challenges in this field.

Methods:

Various existing guidelines, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, and review articles were reviewed for their contextual relevance and strength. A systematic grading of practice guidelines by advisory board was done based on strength of the supporting evidence. Wherever Indian studies were not available, references were taken from the international guidelines.

Results:

Based on the literature review, the recommendations for developing the practice guidelines were made as per the grading criteria agreed upon by the advisory board. The recommendations were to address challenges regarding EN versus parenteral nutrition; nutrition screening and assessment; nutrition in hemodynamically unstable; route of nutrition; tube feeding and challenges; tolerance; optimum calorie-protein requirements; selection of appropriate enteral feeding formula; micronutrients and immune-nutrients; standard nutrition in hepatic, renal, and respiratory diseases and documentation of nutrition practices.

Conclusion:

This paper summarizes the optimum nutrition practices for critically ill patients. The possible solutions to overcome the challenges in this field are presented as practice guidelines at the end of each section. These guidelines are expected to provide guidance in critical care settings regarding appropriate critical-care nutrition practices and to set up Intensive Care Unit nutrition protocols.

The Effect of Continuous Enteral Nutrition on Nutrition Indices, Compared to the Intermittent and Combination Enteral Nutrition in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

INTRODUCTION

Nutrition support is one of the most common care, which is undertaken for patients who suffered from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and are admitted in intensive care units. Literature indicates some controversies regarding the appropriate method of nutrition support in these patients.

AIM

This study was conducted for determining the effect of continuous enteral nutrition on nutrition indices, compared to the intermittent enteral and combination nutrition in TBI patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a randomized clinical trial, 60 TBI patients who were admitted to critical care units of Taleghani Hospital of Kermanshah-Iran in 2010 recruited to the study. The samples were allocated to three groups of continuous enteral nutrition, intermittent enteral nutrition and combination nutrition supports by random sampling. The tool was a researcher-made checklist. The three methods of nutrition support were performed to the participants, then nutrition indices of patients were measured before and during three weeks. Data were analysed using SPSS software, descriptive, and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The mean of received energy in the combination group (53.1± 18.3%) was higher than continuous (38.5±19.7%) and intermittent (32.2±14.7%) groups, significantly (p<0.001). The received protein was also greater in combination method (67.7±16.9%) than continuous (31.8±15.1%) and intermittent groups (17.2±10.1%), (p=0.001). The mean of nitrogen balance was improved in continuous method from -4.7± -1.6 to 7.2±5.2, (p<0.001) significantly.

CONCLUSION

In this study, received energy of patients was not enough by three methods. However, the continuous method, having a positive effect on nitrogen balance, reducing hypercatabolism and maintaining the total body protein, was preferred to brain injury patients compared with intermittent enteral and parenteral methods that demand more studies.

"Cool" Topic: Feeding During Moderate Hypothermia After Intracranial Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic moderate hypothermia (MH; T _core 33°C-34°C) is being studied for treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Nutrition assessment begins with accurate basal metabolic rate (BMR) determination. Although early enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with improved outcomes, it is often deferred until rewarming. We sought to determine the accuracy of predictive BMR equations and the safety and tolerance of EN during MH after ICH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized to 72 hours of MH or normothermia (NT; T _core 36°C-37°C). Harris-Benedict (BMR-HB) and Penn-State equation (BMR-PS) calculations were compared with indirect calorimetry (IC) at day (D) 0 and D1-3. Patients with MH received trophic semi-elemental gastric EN. Occurrences of feeding intolerance, gastrointestinal (GI)-related adverse events, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were analyzed with a double-sided matched pairs t test.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with ICH participated (6 MH, 7 NT). Mean time to initiate EN: 29.9 (MH) vs 18.4 (NT) hours ( P = .046). Average daily EN calories received D0-3: 398 (MH) vs 1006 (NT) ( P < .01). Three patients with MH experienced high gastric residuals prior to prokinetic agents, 1 had mild ileus, and 1 patient with NT vomited. No GI-related adverse events were reported. One patient with MH and 1 patient with NT had VAP. Two patients with MH received IC, and from D0 to D1-3, BMR-HB remained stable (1331 kcal), BMR-PS decreased (1511 vs 1145 kcal, P = .5), and IC decreased (1413 vs 985 kcal, P = .2).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ICH undergoing MH, resting energy expenditure is decreased and predictive equations overestimate BMR. EN is feasible, although delayed EN initiation, high gastric residuals, and less EN provision are common. Future studies should focus on EN initiation within 24 hours, advanced EN rates, and postpyloric feeds during hypothermia.

Enteral Nutrition for Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury in the Rehabilitation Setting: Associations With Patient Preinjury and Injury Characteristics and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of enteral nutrition (EN) with patient preinjury and injury characteristics and outcomes for patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Nine rehabilitation centers.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (N=1701) admitted for first full inpatient rehabilitation after TBI.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

FIM at rehabilitation discharge, length of stay, weight loss, and various infections.

RESULTS

There were many significant differences in preinjury and injury characteristics between patients who received EN and patients who did not. After matching patients with a propensity score of >40% for the likely use of EN, patients receiving EN with either a standard or a high-protein formula (>20% of calories coming from protein) for >25% of their rehabilitation stay had higher FIM motor and cognitive scores at rehabilitation discharge and less weight loss than did patients with similar characteristics not receiving EN.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation after TBI and matched on a propensity score of >40% for the likely use of EN, clinicians should strongly consider, when possible, EN for ≥25% of the rehabilitation stay and especially with a formula that contains at least 20% protein rather than a standard formula.

Nutrition therapy in the optimisation of health outcomes in adult patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: findings from a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Patients who have sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) have increased nutritional requirements yet are often unable to eat normally, and adequate nutritional therapy is needed to optimise recovery. The aim of the current scoping review was to describe the existing evidence for improved outcomes with optimal nutrition therapy in adult patients with moderate to severe TBI, and to identify gaps in the literature to inform future research.

METHODS

Using an exploratory scoping study approach, Medline, Cinahl, Embase, CENTRAL, the Neurotrauma reviews in the Global Evidence Mapping (GEM) Initiative, and Evidence Reviews in Acquired Brain Injury (ERABI) were searched from 2003 to 14 November 2013 using variations of the search terms 'traumatic brain injury' and 'nutrition'. Articles were included if they reported mortality, morbidity, or length of stay outcomes, and were classified according to the nature of nutrition intervention and study design.

RESULTS

Twenty relevant articles were identified of which: 12 were original research articles; two were systematic reviews; one a meta-analysis; and five were narrative reviews. Of these, eleven explored timing of feed provision, eight explored route of administration of feeding, nine examined the provision of specific nutrients, and none examined feeding environment. Some explored more than one intervention. Three sets of guidelines which contain feeding recommendations were also identified.

DISCUSSION

Inconsistency within nutrition intervention methods and outcome measures means that the present evidence base is inadequate for the construction of best practice guidelines for nutrition and TBI. Further research is necessary to elucidate the optimal nutrition therapy for adults with TBI with respect to the timing, route of administration, nutrient provision and feeding environment. A consensus on the ideal outcome measure and the most appropriate method and timing of its measurement is required as a foundation for this evidence base.

Early nutritional therapy in trauma: after A, B, C, D, E, the importance of the F (FEED)

A significant number of deaths in trauma occurs days to weeks after the initial injury, being caused by infection and organ failure related to hypercatabolism and consequent acute protein malnutrition. Nutritional therapy should be planned and included with other routines of resuscitation for patients with multiple trauma and severe burns. The rapid acquisition of a route for nutritional support is important to start early nutritional therapy within 48 hours of care. The enteral route is the preferred option in traumatized postoperative patients but the parenteral route should be prescribed when enteral feeding is contraindicated or inadequate. After the initial measures dictated by ATLS, synthesized in the A (airway), B (breathing), C (circulation), D (disability) and E (exposure), we include the letter F (feed) to emphasize the importance of early nutritional care in trauma.

Evaluation of malnutrition in patients with nervous system disease

Nutritional deficiencies are independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in patients with nervous system disease. Patients with nervous system disease can often become malnourished due to swallowing difficulties or unconsciousness. This malnourishment increases hospitalization duration; average total hospital cost; occurrence of infection, pressure ulcers, and other complications. These problems need to be addressed in the clinic. In this paper, we review the relevant literature, including studies on influencing factors, evaluations, indexes, and methods: Our aim is to understand the current status of malnutrition in patients with nervous system disease and reasons associated with nutritional deficiencies by using malnutrition evaluation methods to assess the risk of nutritional deficiencies in the early stages.

Nutritional support for patients sustaining traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background

In traumatic brain injury (TBI), the appropriate timing and route of feeding, and the efficacy of immune-enhancing formulae have not been well established. We performed this meta-analysis aiming to compare the effects of different nutritional support modalities on clinical outcomes of TBI patients.

Methods

We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library until October, 2012. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized prospective studies (NPSs) that compared the effects of different routes, timings, or formulae of feeding on outcomes in TBI patients were selected. The primary outcomes included mortality and poor outcome. The secondary outcomes included the length of hospital stay, the length of ventilation days, and the rate of infectious or feeding-related complications.

Findings

13 RCTs and 3 NPSs were included. The pooled data demonstrated that, compared with delayed feeding, early feeding was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.24–0.50), poor outcome (RR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54–0.91), and infectious complications (RR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59–0.99). Compared with enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition showed a slight trend of reduction in the rate of mortality (RR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.34–1.09), poor outcome (RR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.51–1.04), and infectious complications (RR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.66–1.22), whereas without statistical significances. The immune-enhancing formula was associated with a significant reduction in infection rate compared with the standard formula (RR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35–0.82). Small-bowel feeding was found to be with a decreasing rate of pneumonia compared with nasogastric feeding (RR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.22–0.76).

Conclusion

After TBI, early initiation of nutrition is recommended. It appears that parenteral nutrition is superior to enteral nutrition in improving outcomes. Our results lend support to the use of small-bowel feeding and immune-enhancing formulae in reducing infectious complications.

Description and prediction of resting metabolic rate after stroke and traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of stroke on the metabolic rate compared with the effect of traumatic brain injury and to determine whether the metabolic rate is predictable in both types of brain injury.

METHODS

Indirect calorimetry was conducted prospectively in mechanically ventilated patients within the first 6 d of admission to a critical care unit owing to ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, isolated traumatic brain injury, or traumatic brain injury with collateral injuries. Clinical data were collected simultaneously and a predicted value of the resting metabolic rate was calculated using the Penn State equation (using body size, body temperature, and minute ventilation).

RESULTS

One hundred thirty patients were measured. Ischemic stroke showed a lower incidence of fever, a lower body temperature, and a lower resting metabolic rate than the other groups; whereas in hemorrhagic stroke, these variables were similar to the trauma groups. Sedation decreased the resting metabolic rate, but this effect seemed particular to the trauma patients. The Penn State equation predicted the resting metabolic rate accurately 72% of the time, and when its component variables of body temperature and minute ventilation were controlled in an analysis of variance, all the differences among the brain injury and sedation groups were eliminated.

CONCLUSION

Stroke is a hypermetabolic event most of the time. Body size, temperature, and minute ventilation explain most of the variation in the resting metabolic rate after traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries. The Penn State equation therefore predicts the resting metabolic rate in brain-injured patients no matter the mechanism of injury.

Abnormal plasma peptide YY(3-36) levels in patients with liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

Peptide YY(3-36) (PYY(3-36)) is a gut hormone with anorectic action that also affects energy expenditure. Anorexia and malnutrition are often observed in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC), whereas patients with LC after insertion of transjugular portosystemic stent shunts (TIPS) show normal eating behavior. The underlying mechanism of anorexia in decompensated LC and its resolution in patients with TIPS is still unclear. We thus investigated fasting and postprandial PYY(3-36) serum levels in patients with decompensated LC, patients with compensated LC with in situ TIPS, and healthy controls.

METHODS

We analyzed fasting PYY(3-36) levels in six patients with decompensated LC (four men and two women, 55 ± 11 y of age), nine patients with TIPS (seven men and two women, 48 ± 11 y of age), and 10 controls (eight men and two women, 43 ± 9 y of age) postprandially after a standardized meal of 300 kcal and during 1-h continuous parenteral nutrition. Energy expenditure was determined by indirect calorimetry.

RESULTS

At baseline PYY(3-36) was comparable in controls and patients with TIPS (91 ± 10 and 89 ± 25 ng/L) but was increased in patients with decompensated LC (165 ± 44 ng/L, P < 0.01). Although the cumulative postprandial PYY(3-36) increase was similar in controls (mean 2089 ng/240 min per liter) and patients with decompensated LC (mean 1735 ng/240 min per liter), no postprandial PYY(3-36) increase was observed in patients with TIPS (mean -579 ng/240 min per liter). Parenteral nutrition did not significantly affect PYY(3-36) levels in any group. Fasting PYY(3-36) values were negatively related to resting energy expenditure (r = -0.443, P = 0.030). PYY(3-36) was not associated to liver parameters (e.g., bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate an abnormal neuroendocrine regulation of PYY(3-36) in patients with decompensated LC and those with TIPS.