HOME PARENTERAL-NUTRITION

Abstract

Patients (106) were placed on a home parenteral nutrition program because of severe gastrointestinal tract lesions. Sufficient improvement in 41 allowed the resumption of oral alimentation. Forty-eight remained on the program while 17 including 10 with malignant disease, died from causes not related to home parenteral nutrition. All patients achieved and maintained the appropriate weight for age and body build. In the pediatric patients normal or accelerated linear growth occurred. Complications included sepsis (18 episodes in 12 patients), local infection of the catheter (14 in 6), catheter thrombosis (6 in 5), ketoacidosis (1), contaminated solutions (1) and essential fatty acid deficiency (1). Home parenteral nutrition is a relatively safe and effective alternative for long term nutritional support.