[Informatics and parenteral and enteral nutrition: the state of the art]

A review was performed of the progress made with the assistance of computers in the parenteral and enteral nutrition field as one more of the many uses made today of the computer industry. Detailed analysis is presented by the authors of the different types of hardware used, as well as the main characteristics and content of the programmes and applications existing in this field, both restricted to small working groups and in management. A comparative study was also made of the management programmes distributed free of charge by some laboratories. Finally, an evaluation was made of the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in parenteral and enteral nutrition at present.