Nutritional therapy in adolescents with necrotizing fasciitis: a case report

Abstract

To report a case of an adolescent with necrotizing fasciitis (NF), emphasizing the Nutritional Therapy (NT) carried out by the Multidisciplinary Team. Methods: The data’s were obtained through the medical records, the NT protocol, an interview with the patient of 13-year-old and her relatives and a photographic record of the lesion. Case report and discussion: Surgical procedures for cleaning and debridement of the wound, regular dressings, broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and NT were performed. The nutritional management consisted in the use of hypercaloric and hyperproteic diet through the three alimentary pathways, aiming supplying the exacerbated nutritional demand, helping in the recovery of nutritional status and reversion of the lesion generated by NF. No signs or symptoms of NT intolerance were identified and the patient was discharged maintaining good acceptance of the exclusive oral NT, already with the wound in the healing phase. Conclusion: Although specific nutritional recommendations for adolescents are not elucidated in the scientific literature, proper planning of NT, initiated early and progressively, can be considered an essential element for success in the treatment of NF in adolescents.