Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
04:53

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

Risk of parenteral nutrition in neonates--an overview

Walter Zingg1, Maren Tomaske, Maria Martin

  • 1Infection Control Programme, University of Geneva Hospitals, rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Genève 14, Switzerland. walter.zingg@hcuge.ch

Nutrients
|December 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in preterm infants are a significant concern, often linked to central venous catheters and parenteral nutrition. Minimizing PN handling and duration is crucial for reducing infection risks in these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) pose a significant challenge in the care of preterm infants, with incidence rates between 6-27 per 1000 patient-days.
  • Bloodstream infections, often associated with central venous catheters, constitute the majority of nosocomial infections in this population.
  • Parenteral nutrition (PN) is identified as an independent risk factor for HAI, catheter-associated bloodstream infections, and clinical sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical importance of stringent standards in the preparation and handling of intravenous solutions and parenteral nutrition.
  • To discuss the potential benefits and risks of ready-to-use parenteral nutrition formulations in enhancing safety for preterm infants.
  • To emphasize the need for minimizing PN handling and duration due to catheter-associated infection risks.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and studies identifying risk factors for HAI in preterm infants.
  • Analysis of the role of parenteral nutrition in the development of infections.
  • Evaluation of the implications of ready-to-use PN formulations on infant safety and infection rates.

Main Results:

  • Parenteral nutrition is a confirmed independent risk factor for HAI and catheter-associated bloodstream infections.
  • Contaminated PN preparations have been linked to outbreaks, underscoring the need for rigorous handling standards.
  • Ready-to-use PN may offer safety benefits but raises concerns about potential overfeeding and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Conclusions:

  • Strict adherence to standards for preparing and handling parenteral nutrition is essential to reduce HAI in preterm infants.
  • Minimizing direct handling and shortening the duration of PN use are recommended strategies.
  • Further research is needed to optimize PN safety and efficacy in this vulnerable population.

More Related Videos

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

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,...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
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...
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 Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...