Category: Trauma care

According to a study published in the journal *Nutrients*, patients who are critically ill with traumatic injuries and high protein intake can still exhibit considerable variability in their nitrogen balance, but many remain in a negative balance. The answer to whether people who are malnourished or experiencing medical trauma are in negative nitrogen balance is a definitive 'yes,' as these conditions trigger a severe catabolic state in the body.

According to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), critically ill patients, including those with severe trauma, face significant risks of malnutrition due to the body's profound hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic stress response. The central question of when should nutritional support be provided to the trauma patient is crucial, as early and appropriate intervention has been consistently linked to reduced infectious complications, shorter hospital stays, and improved outcomes.

A systematic review of clinical trials suggests that early nutritional support reduces mortality in critically ill trauma patients, emphasizing that timely intervention can be life-saving. So, **when should nutritional support be provided to the trauma patient** to balance urgency with safety?