Does Enteral Glutamine Supplementation Decrease Infectious Morbidity

Background: Although some studies have demonstrated lower infectious morbidity in patients receiving supplemental glutamine, there remains no consensus on the utility of such treatment. This study was designed to investigate the effects of supplemental enteral glutamine on the rate and outcomes of infection in critically ill surgical patients. Methods: All 185 surgical and trauma patients admitted to a single university surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU) over an approximately three-year period who were to receive enteral nutrition support were assigned sequentially to one of three diets: standard 1-kCal/mL feedings with added protein (Group 1), standard feedings with glutamine 0.6 g/kg per day (Group 2), or immune-modulated feedings with a similar amount of glutamine (Group 3). Group compositions and patient characteristics were similar at baseline. Data were collected prospectively on infections acquired during hospitalization. Results: A total of 119 patients had at least one infection: 59% of ...