Abstract
Patients with multiple trauma and an Injury Severity Score of more than 20 were randomized either to receive enteral nutrition enriched with glutamine (n = 29; 30.5 gram glutamine per 100 gram protein) or a control diet (n = 31; 3.5 gram glutamine per 100 gram protein). The two feedings were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The nutritional treatment was started within 48 hours after trauma and was given continuously, aiming to cover 75% of the calculated energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry. The nutrition was given for at least 5 days through a nasoduodenal tube and was supplied until the patients tolerated oral feeding. No parenteral nutrition was given during the study period. Both groups were comparable both regarding clinical parameters as well as surgical interventions, caloric need, and numbers of days of enteral nutrition. The primary endpoint of the study was an infectious morbidity during the first 15 days following the trauma.
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