ABSTRACT
Acute illness or injury is associated with a significant inflammatory response, the extent and degree of which can predispose one to malnutrition, worsen existing malnutrition, and thwart intended treatments. In acute illness-related malnutrition, immediate treatment should be based on nutrition guidelines for acute or critical illness, regardless of the etiology of the malnutrition that may be present on admission. Most patients with acute illness-related malnutrition are critically ill and in the intensive care unit. While some are not mechanically ventilated and able to take nutrition orally, the majority require nutrition support – enteral or parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is the preferred route of nutrition support and thus is the focus of this chapter.
