The use of dietary fiber in critically ill adults

Abstract

The reduction in morbidity and mortality is the main principle of modern intensive care management. Enteral feeding, which gives a better treatment outcome, is currently an important measure in critical care management. The proven means to optimise the result of enteral feeding in the critically ill involves not only proper feeding times but also the feeding protocol and prokinetic supplements. Gastrointestinal complications and septic complication in critically ill patients after enteral feeding can theoretically be attenuated with the supplement of dietary fiber and animal studies have demonstrated a better treatment outcome from this. Unfortunately, human studies have been inconsistent in terms of diarrhea prevention and reduction, as well as having septic complications. A difference in the type and dosage of fiber as well as that of the critically ill patient may play an important role in the inconsistent results. The conclusion is that an improvement in intensive care outcome could not be demonstrated by dietary fiber supplement in the critically ill. It does suggest, however, that further investigations and human studies are required.

Keywords

• critically ill
• diarrhea
• dietary fiber
• nosocomial infection
• prebiotics