ABSTRACT
Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized patients, and contributes significantly to
morbidity and mortality. Retrospective reviews implicate malnutrition as the cause of
a two-to four-fold increase in morbidity and a three-to six-fold increase in mortality
(1-4). Malnutrition is an independent risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) anastomotic
leakage (5). Critically ill patients have accelerated and pathologic metabolism (“hyperme-
tabolism”) that aggravates this problem. Prompt recognition of malnutrition and insti-
tution of metabolic support is a cornerstone of critical care.
