• Elizabeth Mahanna, Ettore Crimi, Peggy White, Deepinder S Mann, and Brenda G Fahy.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
• Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2015 Apr 1;28(2):131-8.

Purpose Of ReviewAcute critical illness increases the risk of malnutrition, are more obese, and have multiple comorbidities and frequent pre-existing nutritional deficits. There is a vast amount of research and literature being written on nutritional practices in the critically ill. We review and discuss herein the important nutrition literature over the past 12 months.Recent FindingsSarcopenia, defined as loss of skeletal mass and strength, is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, particularly in elderly patients with trauma. Ultrasound is emerging as a noninvasive and promising method of measuring muscularity. Measuring gastric residuals and postpyloric feeding may not decrease rates of pneumonia in critically ill patients. Trophic and full feeding lead to similar long-term functional and cognitive outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.SummaryNutrition and metabolic support of critically ill patients is a complex and diverse topic. Nutritional measurements, requirements, and modes and routes of delivery are currently being studied to determine the best way to treat these complicated patients. We present just a few of the current controversial topics in this fascinating arena.

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