Nutritional implications of liver transplantation.

Malnutrition is a common problem of patients undergoing liver transplantation. To treat malnutrition, it must first be identified through a nutritional assessment. Because many objective nutritional assessment parameters have limitations in end-stage liver disease, subjective nutritional indicators may be used as an alternative. Nutritional needs following transplantation are categorized as short and long term. The short-term nutritional goal, anabolism, can be complicated by the nutritional status of the patient, surgical procedures, and necessary medications. The increased nutrient needs during the early posttransplant phase require particular nutritional support. Nutrition-related problems following transplantation may include obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperkalemia, edema, or osteoporosis. Dietetic advice relative to the nutritional needs of the liver transplant recipient can improve both the short- and long-term outcomes.