Nutrition in intensive care unit

The goal of modern ICU nutrition is to provide substrates merely to keep pace with consumption and limit endogenous loss. Most ICU patients need immediate nutritional support and if the gut works, it is reasonable to start with early enteral nutrition. Critically ill need between 20 and 30 kcal /kg /day. The target range of blood glucose concentration is 4.4-6.1 mmol/L. Dietary protein intakes up to 1.5g of protein/kg body weight are recommended. Micronutritiend dosing should be individual. This nutritional goal is more easily reached by the adoption of clinical practice guidelines, which should be accepted in practice.