Resumo

MENDEZ, H.  e  SANCHEZ, F.. Contribución de las fórmulas de soporte nutricional al estado nutricional de pacientes con nutrición parenteral total. Rev. costarric. cienc. méd [online]. 1997, vol.18, n.3, pp.25-33. ISSN 0253-2948.

The aim of this article was toassess the anthropometric status as well as the biochemical and inmunological condition of 32 adult patients receiving total parenteral nutrition formulae at San Juan de Dios Hospital. The patients were fed with these formulae during three weeks at least. At the begining of the study, all the patients presented malnutrition as was evaluated by triceps skinfold and 60% when it was evaluated by arm muscle circumference, serum albumin and total protein. At the end of the study, no positive changes were found in the nutrition status of the patients. The energy requeriments and the macronutrient intake of each patient were estimated and compared with the enrgy and the macrocutrient content of the parenteral nutrition formulae prescribed by the physician. Carbohidrates accounted for 60% of the total energy value of the formulae ; proteins, 15% and lipids, 25%. However, in more than half of the patients (59%), energy and protein requirements were not satisfied. In summary, it is necessary to adapt the parenteral nutrition diet to the individual requirements of each patient. Also, patients should be controlled by a skilled health team, including a nutritionist, in order to avoid errors in estimation of energy and macronutrient requirements.

Palavras-chave : Nutritional statos; total parenteral nutrition; anthropometric status.