Nutrition and hydration for the vegetative state and minimally conscious state patient

Abstract

This paper presents nutritional issues particular to patients in the vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS). It assumes that such patients would be tube fed and it examines suitable ways of assessing and monitoring their nutrition. It covers problems frequently encountered such as under-nourishment, high fluid requirements, bowel management, and vomiting. It also looks at the practicalities of long-term tube feeding.

Once medical stability has been achieved, feeding these patients is almost always successful with the patient's body weight restored to being within normal limits.