Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
[Standardised parenteral nutrition in low birth weight preterm newborns: a case report.]
Paolo Galletto1, Daniele Farina1
1SC Neonatologia Ospedale, Presidio Ospedaliero OIRM, Sant'Anna, AOU "Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino".
Insights
Standardised parenteral nutrition (SPN) can be safely used in neonatal intensive care units, offering consistent nutrient delivery and reducing errors. This case study shows SPN supports regular growth in unstable preterm infants with feeding intolerance.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Parenteral nutrition
- Pediatric nutrition
Background:
- Individualized parenteral nutrition (IPN) is prepared by chemists for premature infants during weekdays.
- Standardised parenteral nutrition (SPN) is currently used for weekend admissions.
- SPN offers potential benefits including improved nutrient intake, quality control, cost-effectiveness, and reduced errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of increasing the use of SPN as a replacement for IPN in the NICU.
- To assess the tolerance and growth outcomes of SPN in a case study of a sick, low birth weight infant.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a sick, low birth weight infant requiring parenteral nutrition.
- Administration of "ready-to-use" SPN bags from the sixth day of life for thirteen consecutive days.
- Monitoring of infant growth and tolerance to SPN.
Main Results:
- The infant experienced regular growth during the SPN administration.
- The SPN was well tolerated by the infant.
- No adverse effects were reported during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Standardised parenteral nutrition is a viable option for neonatal intensive care.
- SPN can support adequate growth and is well-tolerated in unstable preterm infants.
- Expanding the use of SPN may enhance efficiency and safety in neonatal nutrition.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of increasing the use of standardised parenteral nutrition (PN) as a replacement of individualized parenteral nutrition in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The standardisation of the PN formulations has the potential to improve nutrient intakes, quality control, cost effectiveness and reduce prescription errors. In our hospital the individualized PN solutions are made by Chemists for premature babies born during the working days. We have been using standardised PN formulations for about two years for the preterm infants born during the weekend. The use of SPN is currently limited to the weekend, until our Chemists can prepare the IPN.In this study we describe the case of a sick low birth weight baby for whom we used for the first time the bags of a standardised PN "ready to use" since the sixth day of life for thirteen consecutive days. The baby was not a very low birth weight, but he needed parenteral nutrition because he was relatively unstable and he had a poor feeding tolerance. As result of the study, the baby growth was regular and the SPN were well tolerated. No adverse effects were reported.
Related Concept Videos
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
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 Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...

