Work

Feeding or Failing? Rethinking Nutrition Therapy in Pediatric Critical Care

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Malnutrition, whether pre-existing or acquired in the ICU, is common in critically ill children. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on nutritional assessment and therapy, highlighting how illness phase, underlying disease, and medical interventions influence energy expenditure and nutrient requirements. RECENT FINDINGS: International guidelines recommend comprehensive nutritional assessment and early initiation of enteral nutrition (EN) for all patients admitted to the Pediatric ICU. However, EN is frequently underutilized or insufficient to meet metabolic demands and sometimes contraindicated. Barriers to delivery persist, and parenteral nutrition (PN) may be required when EN is not feasible or adequate. Nutrition plays a crucial yet complex role in the care of critically ill children. Optimizing individualized nutrition strategies, including timely EN and appropriate PN use, is essential to improve clinical outcomes, support recovery, and enhance long-term rehabilitation, while highlighting the need for improved implementation and future research.

Source: Current Nutrition Reports

DOI: 10.1007/s13668-026-00785-x

Authors: Cecilia Gállego Suárez, Nora Ponchak, Senthilkumar Sankararaman, Akash Pandey

Institutions: University Hospitals of Cleveland, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children

Language: English

Topic: Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,690