Optimizing the transition to home parenteral nutrition in pediatric patients

Johanna L Norman1, Catherine M Crill

  • 1College of Pharmacy, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.

Insights

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is crucial for children unable to eat normally. Successful transition to home PN (HPN) requires careful planning and education for patients and caregivers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Parenteral nutrition (PN) supports pediatric patients with feeding intolerance or inability to meet nutritional needs enterally.
  • Short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure often necessitate long-term home PN (HPN) therapy.
  • Transitioning pediatric patients to HPN presents complexities and potential complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline institutional processes for preparing pediatric patients for HPN discharge.
  • To provide a guide for successful HPN transition in pediatric care.
  • To emphasize the importance of collaboration and education in HPN management.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes current practices and recommendations for HPN discharge planning.
  • It focuses on the collaborative efforts between healthcare institutions, home care companies, and families.
  • Key elements of patient and caregiver education for HPN are highlighted.

Main Results:

  • Successful HPN discharge is achievable through structured preparation and multidisciplinary teamwork.
  • Effective patient and caregiver education mitigates immediate and long-term HPN-related complications.
  • Standardized protocols enhance the safety and efficacy of HPN transitions.

Conclusions:

  • A systematic approach to HPN discharge planning is essential for pediatric patients.
  • Collaboration and comprehensive education are critical for successful home parenteral nutrition management.
  • This review serves as a valuable resource for clinicians managing pediatric HPN transitions.

Related Concept Videos

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...