New England Journal of Medicine Publishes Review of Nutrition Therapy for Critically Ill Adults

A new review in the New England Journal of Medicine examines how nutrition therapy supports critically ill adults who cannot feed themselves, covering both enteral and parenteral approaches.

What the Journal Published

The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s most widely read medical journals, has published a review of nutrition therapy in critically ill adults in its latest issue. The piece was written by Jayshil J. Patel, MD, and Stephen A. McClave, MD, and covers the provision and monitoring of both enteral nutrition — feeding delivered directly into the gut — and parenteral nutrition, which is delivered intravenously when the digestive system cannot be used.

The review addresses a gap that clinicians working in intensive care units face regularly. Critically ill patients — those in ICUs following surgery, serious infection, organ failure, or major trauma — are often unable to eat or drink in the normal way. Without adequate nutritional support, the body begins to break down its own muscle tissue, which can slow recovery, increase the risk of complications, and extend hospital stays.

Why Nutrition Therapy Matters in Critical Care

Nutrition therapy is not simply about calories. According to the NEJM, it includes the full process of assessing a patient’s nutritional needs, selecting the appropriate delivery method, and monitoring outcomes over time. Getting that balance wrong — either underfeeding or overfeeding — carries its own risks, and the review is understood to address both ends of that spectrum.

Enteral feeding, where a tube delivers liquid nutrition directly to the stomach or small intestine, is generally preferred when the gut is functioning. Parenteral nutrition, delivered through a central line into the bloodstream, is used when enteral routes aren’t possible. Each carries different clinical considerations, and the choice between them is one of the more consequential decisions in critical care medicine.

The Source and Its Weight

The NEJM is not a fringe publication. It has been in continuous publication since 1812 and is consistently ranked among the most cited medical journals globally. A review appearing in its pages carries considerable weight among clinicians and researchers. The journal posted the announcement on its official social media account, directing followers to the full text.

Short and direct: this is peer-reviewed guidance aimed at practising intensive care physicians, not a preliminary or speculative finding.

Limitations of What Is Known

The full text of the review was not available in the source material used for this article. Specific statistics, clinical recommendations, or patient outcome data cited within the review have not been independently verified here. Readers seeking the detailed findings should access the review directly through the NEJM.

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Key Takeaways

• The NEJM has published a clinical review of nutrition therapy — both enteral and parenteral — for critically ill adults who cannot feed themselves
• The review was authored by Jayshil J. Patel, MD, and Stephen A. McClave, MD, and appears in the journal’s current issue
• Nutrition therapy in critical care covers assessment, delivery method selection, and ongoing monitoring — not simply calorie provision

What This Means for Kent Residents

Patients in Kent’s NHS hospitals — including those treated at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, and Medway Maritime Hospital — may receive nutrition therapy if they are admitted to intensive care. If you or a family member is critically ill and receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition, your care team is the right source of information about the specific approach being used and why. For general health concerns, contact your GP or call NHS 111; in an emergency, always dial 999.