Early enteral nutrition shortens ICU stays

Background: Early enteral nutrition is effective in preventing bacterial translocation and suppressing the onset of multisystem organ failure (MSOF) and organopathy. We investigated the effect of early enteral nutrition on the duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stays. Methods: The study comprised 112 patients who stayed in our ICU for 10 days or longer during a recent 47-month period and were discharged alive. The patients were divided into 2 groups: one that was given enteral nutrients within 72 hours of admission to ICU (early starters, n = 26) and another that was given enteral nutrients later than 72 hours after admission to ICU (late starters, n = 86). We then compared the 2 groups with respect to the number of ICU days and the maximum total serum bilirubin value during the ICU stay. Results: As compared with the late starters, early starters required significantly fewer ICU days (p = 0.041) and had significantly lower maximum total bilirubin values (p = 0.006). There was a significant and positive correlation between the maximum total bilirubin value and duration of ICU stay (r = 0.435, p< 0.0001). Conclusion: Enteral nutrition started within 72 hours after admission is effective in suppressing hyperbilirubinemia and shortening ICU stays.