Background and importance Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring management in the critical care unit (CCU) involves long hospital stays with the need for artificial nutritional support and sometimes, depending on the clinical course, parenteral nutrition (PN).

Aim and objectives The aim of this study was to analyse sodium and magnesium electrolyte disturbances associated with mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients with COVID-19 requiring PN.

Material and methods Retrospective observational study including 50 patients with SARS-CoV-2 admitted to CCU for 4 months (January–April 2021) who required PN.

We analysed the variables of sex and age and the analytical values of sodium and magnesium during PN supplementation, as well as the contribution of these ions during PN supplementation. Na and Mg iones were not supplemented in PN, in patients with high levels.

Results Age: average 67 years. Sex: 62% male; 38% female. Died: 54%. The results obtained are shown in table 1.

46% of patients had hypermagnesaemia at the start of PN, and about 30% started with hypernatraemia; in both cases it was maintained throughout the period of PN.

Of the total number of patients, 5 developed hypermagnesaemia and 3 hypernatraemia during PN supplementation

Conclusion and relevance Critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 had a high percentage of sodium and magnesium levels, 32% and 46%, respectively, at the time of starting PN, mainly associated with the use of mechanical ventilation. These alterations continued during PN supplementation in most cases.

Conflict of interest No conflict of interest