Assessing Energy Balance in Critical Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Predicting energy requirements in critically ill patients using 3D body shape app and indirect calorimetry.
IRAS ID
349313
Contact name
Stephen Kelleher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of this project is to optimise the process for assessing and monitoring nutritional requirements in patients with severe injury or trauma, such as TBI.
Currently, nutrition strategies in NCCU are based on prediction equations developed from healthy individuals. However, these estimates often become unreliable as the body’s metabolism undergoes significant changes in response to injury and trauma. As the body adapts to the injury’s demands, energy expenditure rises, depleting carbohydrate stores and eventually drawing on protein and muscle mass for fuel. This reduces muscle mass and energy requirements but also muscle functionality and strength. This results in an increased risk of complications such as longer hospital stays, infections, organ failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation and mortality. There is limited access to measurement techniques required to assess body composition or energy requirements within NCCU, either because the patients are ventilated and immobile, the techniques are expensive and require expertise, or other techniques are often inaccurate for trauma patients.
We have recently validated a 3D body shape app in a healthy population. The app works by fitting a 3D mesh to smartphone image by generating an avatar using a two-step method. Firstly, it predicts the body shape and pose, then the method is refined taking advantage of the simple paired measures such as height, waist and hip circumference. Body composition estimations are subsequently fitted to the 3D meshes. Our objective is to develop this app further within neurocritical care incorporating muscle ultrasound and clinical CT scans to advance and validate the modelling for use in intensive care. These variables will then be incorporated into specific energy requirement prediction models for TBI and severe injury, in comparison to indirect calorimetry measurements.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0050
Date of REC Opinion
7 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion