Nutrition in Spinal Cord Injured Patients - Education

In recent years, nutritional support has become very important in patients who sustained maj r trauma such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Some metabolic changes take place immediately after the maj r trauma: hypermetabolism is observed, especially, an increase in the catabolic rate and excessive nitrogen losses occur. This results in depletion of the body energy stores, loss of lean muscle mass, reduction in protein synthesis and deterioration of immune competence. Inherent denervation, immobility, and consequent muscle atrophy are present in SCI. When the above-mentioned posttraumatic metabolic changes are added to these inherent problems, an increase in secondary complications and morbidity is perceived in SCI patients. In this report, the importance of nutritional support in SCI patients will be discussed. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2010; 56 Suppl 2: 64-6