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Table 1 Guidelines for selection of enteral feeding formulation

From: Permissive underfeeding versus target enteral feeding in adult critically ill patients (PermiT Trial): a study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Diagnostic category

Enteral feeding formulation

Major elective surgery, trauma, burns, headand neck cancer, and critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation (being cautious in patients with severe sepsis)

Immune-modulating enteral formulations (arginine, glutamine, nucleic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants). Grade A (surgical) Grade B (medical).

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome

Enteral formulation characterized by an anti-inflammatory lipid profile (that is, omega-3 fish oils, borage oil) and antioxidants (grade A).

All critically ill patients receiving specialized nutrition therapy

Antioxidant vitamins (including vitamins E and ascorbic acid) and trace minerals (specifically including selenium, zinc and copper).

Burn, trauma, and mixed ICU patients

Enteral glutamine to an enteral nutrition regimen.

Pulmonary failure

High-lipid low carbohydrate formulations are not recommended. Fluid-restricted calorically dense formulations should be considered.

Renal failure

Standard enteral formulations and standard ICU recommendations for protein and calorie.