Effect of enteral nutrition support combined with prone position mechanical ventilation on respiratory function, nutritional status, and inflammatory response in patients with severe pneumonia

Objective: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of enteral nutrition support combined with prone position mechanical ventilation in patients with severe pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 55 patients with severe pneumonia, who were allocated to a control group (n = 35) receiving conventional mechanical ventilation combined with early enteral nutrition support, and an observation group (n = 20) receiving prone position mechanical ventilation combined with early enteral nutrition support. The intervention lasted for 1 week. Changes in blood gas indicators were compared before and after the intervention. Improvement in nutritional status and inflammatory indicators, including serum prealbumin (PAB), albumin (ALB), haemoglobin (HGB) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), were assessed. The incidence of adverse events during the intervention was compared between groups. This study was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of our hospital, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: levels, with more pronounced improvement observed in the observation group. Nutritional indicators (PAB, ALB, and HGB) improved in the observation group. CRP and PCT levels were reduced in both groups, with the observation group demonstrating lower levels. The observation group showed a lower incidence of adverse events than the control group (15.00% vs. 42.86%). Conclusion: Enteral nutrition support combined with prone position mechanical ventilation reduces the incidence of adverse events, improves respiratory function and nutritional status, and alleviates inflammatory response in patients with severe pneumonia.