Nutrition optimisation of young tuberculosis patient with poor oral intake

Abstract

ABSTRACT A 19-year-old female teenager, Chinese, admitted to medical ward on 30 April 2023 with the reason of admission of recurrent disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and presented with fever (2/12), cough (3/7), loose stool (1/12), shortness of breath (6/12), lethargy (2/52) and poor oral intake. She had underlying diseases of hypochromic microcytic anemia anaemia 2° iron-deficiency anaemia and folate deficiency, severe hypoalbuminaemia, hospital-acquired pneumonia due to Pseudomonas infection and persistent fever despite being on anti-TB medication. In this case, the patient had already been referred to a dietitian, but a follow-up was needed as she had a loss of appetite and inadequate oral nutrition for a few days. Her calculated body mass index is 16.1 kg/m2 (underweight) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was rated with Grade B (mild-moderate malnutrition) with a history of severe weight loss for the past 1 month. The biochemical data showed abnormal readings of renal profile, albumin and haemoglobin levels.