Clinical management includes fluid and electrolyte support for dehydrated patients and nutritional supplementation for malnourished patients (AIII).

Bozzetti F, Braga M, Gianotti L, et al.: Postoperative enteral versus parenteral nutrition in malnourished patients with gastrointestinal cancer: a randomised multicentre trial.

Lanugo can be observed in malnourished patients, including those with eating disorders.

They are a well tolerated and a cheaper alternative to elemental diets, which merit serious consideration as treatment of active Crohn's disease, specially in malnourished patients or when steroid treatment is contraindicated.

For each treatment, nourished and malnourished patients responded similarly.

A large number of patients would be necessary, however, to ensure that a small difference in response to elemental diet between nourished and malnourished patients was not being overlooked.

Very weak and malnourished patients sometimes must receive the therapy 24 hours a day until they regain weight.

Standard intravenous preparations of potassium phosphate are available and are routinely used in malnourished patients and alcoholics.

Elderly, anemic and malnourished patients may absorb the suture more quickly.

However, there is suggestive evidence that larger amounts may need to be given to women, smaller patients, malnourished patients, and patients with clinical problems.