[Partial parenteral nutrition in severe virus hepatitis]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Internal Medicine

Context:

• Severe viral hepatitis presents a poor prognosis, particularly with prothrombin concentration below 25%.
• Hepatic failure and complications significantly impact patient outcomes.
• Nutritional insufficiency due to nausea and appetite loss is common in these patients.

Purpose:

• To investigate the efficacy of partial parenteral nutrition combined with a meat-free liver diet in improving liver function in severe viral hepatitis patients.
• To assess the impact of this nutritional intervention on prothrombin concentration, albumin levels, cholinesterase activity, and ammonia levels.

Summary:

• A study involving 9 patients (7 with hepatitis B, 2 with non-A non-B hepatitis) with severe viral hepatitis was conducted.
• Partial parenteral nutrition over 7 days significantly increased prothrombin concentration (from 19.3% to 41.5%), improved serum albumin and cholinesterase activity.
• Ammonia levels decreased significantly within the first day of treatment without increasing urea production, and all patients survived.

Impact:

• Partial parenteral nutrition can effectively improve liver function in patients with severe viral hepatitis.
• This nutritional strategy helps decrease the catabolic state of metabolism associated with severe liver disease.
• The findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of parenteral nutrition in managing severe viral hepatitis and improving patient prognosis.