Effect of Early Enteral Nutrition Combined with Probiotics on the Nutritional Status of Patients with Severe Craniocerebral Injury

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics on the nutritional status of patients with severe craniocerebral injury. Methods: Thirty-five patients with severe craniocerebral injury were divided into the study group (17 patients) and the control group (18 patients) according to the method of a randomized numerical table; both groups of patients started enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube within 24–48 hours after admission to the hospital, and probiotics were given in addition to the study group. Hemoglobin, total plasma protein, albumin, prealbumin, cholinesterase, fasting blood glucose, and other indexes were monitored before and early morning after enteral nutrition support, and upper arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and upper arm muscle circumference (AMC) were measured, and gastrointestinal response and time to first defecation of the patients were observed and compared with GCS score. Results: The hemoglobin, serum albumin, prealbumin, cholinesterase, and total plasma protein levels in the study group were significantly higher and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The incidence of reflux and constipation in the study group was lower than that in the control group, and the time to first defecation was shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, AC, TSF, and AMC were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). GCS scores were significantly higher in both groups after treatment, but the trend was more pronounced in the study group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with simple enteral nutrition, enteral nutrition combined with probiotics can better correct metabolic disorders after heavy craniocerebral injury and improve the nutritional status of patients.