Nutritional treatment of patients with severe traumatic brain injury during the first six months after injury

Objective This study explored current nutritional treatment policies and nutritional outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods We performed a retrospective, structured survey of the medical records of 64 patients up to 6 months after injury or until the patients were independent in nutritional administration. Results Enteral nutrition was administered to 86% of patients. Fourteen patients (22%) had a gastrostomy; after 6 months four were still in use. At 6 months, 92% of patients received all food orally and 84% had gained nutritional independence. Energy intake was equal to the calculated basal metabolic rate throughout the first month after injury and increased by 21% during the second month. Sixty-eight percent exhibited signs of malnourishment with weight losses of 10–29%. Conclusion This study suggests that most patients with severe traumatic brain injury regain their nutritional independence within the first 6 months after injury, but also that most develop signs of malnutrition.