Nutrition therapy in children with pancreatic trauma in pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction. Pancreatic injury is a leading cause of acute pancreatitis in children. The prescribed conservative therapy (nutrition therapy) excludes the pancreas from the process of digestion.Purpose. The aim of the study was to find an optimal algorithm of nutrition therapy for patients with pancreatic injury in a pediatric intensive care unit.Material and methods. Nutrition therapy protocols applied in 20 children with pancreatic injury were analyzed.Results. In pancreatic injury, the enteral feeding via an intestinal tube seems to be the most preferable nutrition strategy; in case of necessity, it can be combined with parenteral nutrition. The nutrition therapy program should be designed using objective techniques for assessing energy and protein needs.Conclusion. All patients with pancreatic injury should receive the enteral feeding via an intestinal tube since the first day of their stay in the hospital.