Medical Nutrition Therapy for a Critically Ill Patient with Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report

Spinal cord injury causing chronic paralysis affects the body's energy and protein requirements. Central nervous system injuries require long-term healing, and its complications can lead to prolonged bed rest, decreased life expectancy, and reduced quality of life. The risk of malnutrition due to chronic inactivity can lead to a loss of muscle mass, which affects nutritional status. Medical nutrition therapy aims to decrease the metabolic response, maintain fat-free mass, and prevent complications. We report a 58-year-old critically ill man with a spinal cord injury who had a normal weight initially; his medical nutrition therapy was based on nutrition guidelines for critically ill patients and gradually increased as per his clinical and gastrointestinal tolerance. He was given vitamin B supplementation and treated for 69 days. On discharge, he had optimal oral nutrient intake and normal weight. Adequate nutrition supported his recovery, increased his functional capacity, and maintained his nutritional status.