title: Acute management of nutritional demands after spinal cord injury.
abstract: A systematic review of the literature was performed to address pertinent clinical questions regarding nutritional management in the setting of acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Specific metabolic challenges are present following spinal cord injury. The acute stage is characterized by a reduction in metabolic activity, as well as a negative nitrogen balance that cannot be corrected, even with aggressive nutritional support. Metabolic demands need to be accurately monitored to avoid overfeeding. Enteral feeding is the optimal route following SCI. When oral feeding is not possible, nasogastric, followed by nasojejunal, then by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, if necessary, is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax Infirmary, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Ginette
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thibault-Halman
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casha
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christie
mesh_terms: D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018529:Nutritional Support; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy*