Micronutrients Needs in Critically Ill Patients of Pediatric Care Units



Zibanejad N^{1, 2}
Source: Micronutrients and their Role in Health and Disease Published:2021

Abstract

Micronutrients are essential nutrient needed by the body in small amounts, including minerals and vitamins. Micro minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and trace minerals, including magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium. Vitamins and minerals are vital for the prevention of disease, development and health of the body. Only small amounts of them are needed, but they are not produced in the body and must be received through diet. Deficiency of trace elements such as magnesium zinc phosphate is common in patients admitted to the ICU. Studies have shown that this deficiency is associated with a poor prognosis. Among vitamins for example vitamin C have antioxidant effects improve inflammation and have a beneficial effect. In acute renal failure, meta-analysis has shown that vitamin C intake reduces the ICU stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation. Low level of Vitamin D have been shown to be strongly associated with problems such as infections, acute liver and kidney damage. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation is unclear and has not improved the prognosis in one meta-analysis. Zinc levels were significantly lower in patients requiring hospitalization in pediatric ICU than in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ward. In this section, we will summarize the data of existing articles on the effects of possible benefits and harms of vitamin supplements and essential minerals in pediatric ICU patients and review the results of these studies. Prescribing micronutrients to pediatric ICU patients can have beneficial effects, including reducing hospital and ICU hospital stays, reducing respiratory illness, and improving infections. In this chapter of the book, we intend to provide an overview of the topic of micronutrients in critically ill children admitted to the PICU. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.