A nutrient survey in elderly women with femoral neck fractures

This survey was undertaken to study the nutrition of elderly women following surgical treatment for a femoral neck fracture. The voluntary food intake of 19 patients was measured 3, 7 and 14 days after operation. When the nutrient content was calculated and compared with DHSS recommended values for healthy women of the same age, only the intakes of vitamin A and calcium were adequate. The mean intake of protein, energy, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin C, thiamin and niacin fell short of the recommendation. The evidence suggests that whilst adequate food intake may be provided in hospital, the actual nutrient intake of elderly female patients recovering from a femoral neck fracture is often inadequate.