Nutritional Interventions Following Stroke

Nutritional status following stroke can have a negative impact on functional recovery and mortality. Complications associated with malnutrition include a greater incidence of infections and pressure sores, and longer lengths of hospital stays. Clinical nutritional management requires effective methods of assessment, an understanding of the underlying causes of nutritional deficiencies, and effective methods of administering nutrients via feeding techniques and supplementation. In this review, the prevalence of malnutrition post stroke is evaluated and markers used to identify deficiencies are discussed. A summarization of potential causes of nutritional deficiencies is provided, including metabolic rate, nutrient intake, and gastrointestinal impairments. Interventions of enteral feeding and oral supplementation, as well as treatments for dysphagia, are discussed.