[Pay attention to the nutritional problems in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction].

Gut dysfunction is defined as the impairment of intestinal parenchyma and(or) intestinal function leading to dyspepsia, malabsorption, and(or) intestinal barrier dysfunction. In the stress state, gastrointestinal tract contributes to the physiopathological change, which is considered as the "central organ after stress". Because of ischemia, anoxia and metabolic disturbance, critical illness is frequently complicated with intestinal dysfunction, which is one of the difficulties to treat critically ill patients. Undoubtedly, nutritional support is one of the indispensable therapies of intestinal dysfunction, which is also difficult to manage. This report was aimed to elaborate the definition, causes of intestinal dysfunction, assessment of nutritional status, and design of nutritional support in these patients.