COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NUTRITIONAL INTAKE AND OPTIMUM NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Objective: To compare the difference in caloric and protein intake versus optimum protein and caloric
requirements at pediatric ITC of AFIC. To see the difference in protein and caloric intake in patients on oral intake
versus nasogastric feeding.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases from
1st Feb 2015 to 1st Jul 2015.
Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted on post operative patients of pediatric ITC of AFIC. Total
102 patients who met the study criterion were included in the study sample. Data was collected from hospital
records and FFQ.
Result: Mean caloric intake on 1st 2nd and 3rd post operative day was 353,438,570 k/cals respectively where as
mean protein was 11,11,12 grams on 1st 2nd and 3rd post operative day respectively. The difference in the mean
caloric intake on 1st, 2nd and 3rd post operative day were statistically significant whereas difference in the mean
protein intake was not significant statistically. The caloric intake was high with patients on oral feeding than ones
on nasogastric tube feeding where as Protein intake in patients with naso gastric tube feeding was high than
those on oral feeding.
Conclusion: The caloric and protein intake in study subjects was below the recommended level both in
nasogastric and oral feeding. A constant monitoring of nutritional status of post operative patients especially in
post operative children is mandatory for optimal wound healing and survival of patient.