Increased body temperature secondary to total parenteral nutrition

Administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (glucose/amino acids), on the 2nd day after surgery, to a 26-year-old male with multiple fractures resulted in a rise in rectal temperature from 37.6 to 39 degrees C. Resting energy expenditure showed a sustained 23% increase when the nutritional intake was changed from 5% dextrose to TPN. This case demonstrates that the increased metabolic rate associated with administration of TPN in acutely injured patients may be associated with an increase in body temperature.