About this Research Topic

Background

The profound muscle weakness during and after a critical illness is termed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) acquired weakness (ICUAW). The risk factors connected with ICUAW are female gender, severe sepsis, neuromuscular relaxant, and corticosteroid administration. Several pathologic findings in peripheral nerves and skeletal muscle have been identified in patients with ICUAW. Patients with ICUAW have reduced neuromuscular function, respiratory failure, prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation, and increased frequency of nosocomial infections. It has been shown that ICUAW is independently connected with increased hospital mortality.

Medical nutrition therapy is a potential ICU treatment modality that may change ICUAW frequency and severity. There are several pathways for investigation and setting the points. Namely, it is unclear what the target levels are of protein and calories in the first 10 days in ICU and if they have impact on ICUAW. Furthermore, there are ongoing studies about the importance of specific amino acids that can “trigger” initiation of protein synthesis and even decrease protein breakdown. Their position in the ICUAW is waiting to be defined. Together with this, there are concerns about potential links between autophagy and disease-related muscle wasting and ICUAW. Clarity is therefore needed regarding the potential importance of the exact timing, composition, and quantity of medical nutrition treatment for ICUAW.

This Research Topic aims to gather high quality original research about potential connections between medical nutrition therapy and ICUAW. Original Research, Systematic and Mini Reviews, Case series, Protocols and Clinical study protocols are also welcomed. Potential sub-topics include but are not limited to the following:

• The potential influence of early sufficient protein nutrition on the frequency of intensive care unit acquired weakness;
• Potential impacts on frequency of intensive care unit acquired weakness during the first 7 days in intensive care between no nutrition therapy, and nutritional therapy with enteral and parenteral nutrition;
• Insights into potential connections between autophagy and intensive care acquired weakness.

Keywords: intensive care nutrition, intensive care, clinical nutrition, muscle weakness, medical nutrition, ICUAW

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