Soporte nutricional enteral temprano en cuidados intensivos. Revisión Sistemática

Abstract

Background: Enteral nutrition for critically ill patients has evolved significantly since the mid-20th century. Initially, its use was limited by technical challenges and a lack of knowledge regarding its benefits. However, advances in medical technology and growing evidence of its positive effects—such as reduced infections and mortality—have established it as an essential component of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. Parenteral nutrition is now preferred, whenever feasible, because of its ability to preserve intestinal function and strengthen the immune system. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2019 and 2023 was conducted using databases such as Scopus and PubMed. Studies written in English and Spanish, with open access and full text available, were considered. Papers that did not meet these criteria were excluded. Results: Of the 76,499 publications identified, only 33 articles were selected for the final analysis after applying inclusion criteria and conducting a thorough analytical reading. These studies were chosen based on their relevance to the research objective. Conclusions: Enteral nutritional support has been shown to reduce mortality, strengthen gastric immunity, and shorten hospital stays. These benefits are more significant when nutritional support is implemented early and adapted to the patient’s comorbidities. Keywords: nutrition, support, intensive care unit