Malnutrition in the critically ill children: the importance of enteral and parenteral nutrition

The incidence of malnutrition is high among critically ill children.Thus, nutritional support has a major influence on the prognosis of critically ill children.Appropriate nutritional support can not only correct the poor nutritional status of critically ill children, but also improve the clinical prognosis.Fortunately, there are enteral and parenteral nutrition support available, but both have advantages and disadvantages.How to combine enteral and parenteral nutrition for a better personalized nutrition support plan, has become the major focus of nutritional support.In this regard, the nutrition risk, malnutrition screening and the effect of enteral/ parenteral nutrition on the disease severity are summarized in this review. Key words: Critical illness; Malnutrition; Enteral nutrition; Parenteral nutrition