Description
Undernutrition is common within hospitals (25-45% of patients), but is often unrecognized and untreated. It causes physiological dysfunction that results in muscular weakness, impaired immunity and reduced wound healing. Undernourished patients have long hospital stays, many complications and a high morbidity and mortality. The treatment of undernutrition reduces the chance of these problems occurring. This article discusses the consequences, assessment, incidence/prevalence and treatment of protein-energy undernutrition, but does not deal with specific vitamin or micronutrient deficiencies.
