Introduction: Spinal Cord Injury ASIA A (tetraplegia) is a frequent pathology that may affect population regardless of age, sex or race, and that can induce metabolic abnormalities that may worsen the nutritional status of these patients. There are no existing specific protocols to treat these disorders in the specialized units in Mexico.
Material and methods: We analyzed 16 patients at the Spine Clinic SS-DF, 18 years or older without any drug treatment or any previous disease, known or diagnosed when admitted to the hospital. Laboratory samples were obtained as well as the nutritional status was calculated at their admittance and discharge. Individually calculated nutritional support was administered starting at their third day of hospital stay.
Results: 100% of the patients showed some type of metabolic disorder associated to the neurological injury. 50% of the patients were classified with severe malnutrition, 25% moderate and 25% mild, all improved at their discharge.
Conclusions: We confirmed the presence of metabolic changes in these patients, the efficacy of routine laboratory in the Spine Clinic SS-DF for their evaluation, and that adequate nutritional support may help correct metabolic disorders in this patients.