How to choose the best route of feeding during critical illness

Increased and specific nutritional requirements occurring during critical illness need to be covered by appropriate administration of energy, nitrogen and micronutrients, especially in case of pre-existing malnutrition, chronic insufficient oral intakes or expected delay before recovery of eating. The use of artificial nutrition (enteral or parenteral) is recommended whenever the oral intakes are insufficient, in order to avoid the detrimental consequences of malnutrition and promote the best possible outcome of severely ill patients. This paper aims to provide an overview and practical recommendations of artificial nutrition therapy in the ICU setting.