Jpen Parenter Enter
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Jpen Parenter Enter · May 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEarly versus delayed feeding with an immune-enhancing diet in patients with severe head injuries.
Although early enteral feeding clearly reduces septic morbidity after blunt and penetrating trauma, data for head-injured patients are conflicting. This study examines the effects of early vs delayed enteral feedings on outcome in patients with severe closed-head injuries with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score greater than 3 and less than 11. ⋯ No difference in length of stay or infectious complications is shown in patients with severe closed-head injury when they are given early vs delayed feeding using an immune-enhancing formula. Severity of the head injury is closely associated with significant infection.