Maintenance of Pregnancy in a Home Parenteral Nutrition Patient

Abstract

A case is reported of successful conception and completion of pregnancy in a patient with intestinal failure due to Crohn's disease, nourished entirely by home parenteral nutrition. The nutritional regimen included both dextrose and lipid as calorie sources, together with synthetic amino acids and appropriate additives. Nutritional status was monitored by blood biochemistry, anthropometry, urinary nitrogen losses, and measured resting energy expenditure. Obstetric progress was monitored by standard methods, including abdominal ultrasound, maternal weight gain, and measurement of plasma hormone levels. Herein, particular attention is given to the use of intravenous lipid in pregnancy.