“…(20) Because of sedation and mechanical ventilation, the calorie needs of PICU patients may be less than estimated, and overfeeding can increase the need for mechanical ventilation, the risk of infection, and the length of the PICU stay. (22,23) Early nutrition has been suggested to suppress autophagy, (24,25) which is an important protective mechanism of cells in situations of increasing oxidative stress and inflammation. However, this response may eventually fail, with the patient progressing to malnutrition.…”