Pulmonary-Specific Enteral Nutrition in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a major cause of critical illness and respiratory failure, particularly among patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. These patients frequently experience systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, which can be assessed using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and blood lactate levels. Pulmonary-specific enteral nutrition, characterized by a lower carbohydrate and higher fat composition, may help improve respiratory metabolism and modulate inflammatory responses. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of pulmonary-specific enteral nutrition compared with standard enteral nutrition on NLR and blood lactate levels in adult patients with pneumonia requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either pulmonary-specific enteral nutrition or standard enteral nutrition. NLR and blood lactate levels were measured on days 1, 3, and 5 to assess changes in inflammatory and metabolic parameters during the intervention period.