[Pediatric parenteral nutrition: are standard solutions better than individualized ones?]

Pediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) in Spain has traditionally been prescribed and made up on an individual basis. This practice entails daily indication of the quantity of each of the components of the PN bag as well as precise calculations for its formulation and preparation. The main advantages of individualized prescriptions are their flexibility and precise biochemical control. The aim of this study was to determine whether pediatric PN can be standardized in a tertiary care hospital.

We reviewed the composition of all the pediatric PN bags prepared in our hospital from 1.1.1996 to 31.12.1998. Each individual prescription was compared with a standard PN fulfilling the following criteria: a) Holiday-Segar equation for volume; b) 1 kcal/ml (10 %), and c) macronutrient distribution: 8-15 % amino acids, 55-65 % dextrose; 30-35 % lipids. The results of this comparison were used to estimate the number of bags fulfilling all three criteria and those that fulfilled only the third. We also reviewed the distribution of PN bags prepared according to the protocol used in our center which allows three options: standard PN, individualized prescription, and individualized prescription except electrolytes, supplied in fixed concentrations per liter of PN.

Five hundred fifty-four patients received 7,921 PN bags. The mean duration of PN was 14.3 days and the mean number of PN per day was 7.2. Only 4.5 % fulfilled all three criteria but 16.2 % satisfied at least the last criterion. If the three criteria for standardization were applied, only one PN bag/day could be prepared. Analysis of the application of our protocol revealed that of all the PN bags prepared only 27.9 % were partially or totally standardized. However, exclusion of neonates increased this figure to 53.2 %.

If rigid standardization criteria are applied, only a small number of PN bags can be prepared in a tertiary hospital. Combining both standard and tailored PN could reduce pharmacy workload and costs while maintaining flexibility.