Tag: Visceral proteins

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and nutrients. A nurse reviewing patient lab work is a critical step in a thorough nutritional assessment, and certain values provide rapid insight into a patient's nutritional status.

Approximately 30-50% of hospitalized patients experience some degree of malnutrition, often intertwined with inflammation. This critical interplay shows that inflammation potently inhibits the synthesis of visceral proteins, re-evaluating their traditional use as direct markers of nutritional status.

According to a position paper from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), a single, effective laboratory indicator for malnutrition is lacking, making a multi-faceted assessment essential. Determining what is the best indicator of acute protein depletion requires a comprehensive approach that looks beyond just one lab value.