Total parenteral feeding in infants using peripheral veins

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Infants with life-threatening gastrointestinal anomalies often require nutritional support.
• Parenteral nutrition is a critical intervention for these vulnerable patients.
• Peripheral venous access is a common route for fluid and medication administration in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total parenteral nutrition administered via peripheral veins in infants with severe gastrointestinal anomalies.
• To assess weight gain and monitor for complications such as septicaemia.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen infants (1 day to 5 months old) with critical gastrointestinal conditions received total parenteral nutrition.
• Nutritional solutions were administered exclusively through peripheral veins.
• Patients were observed for weight changes and signs of infection over 10 to 54 days.

Main Results:

• All fifteen infants demonstrated positive weight gain during the study period.
• No instances of septicaemia (bloodstream infection) were recorded in any of the patients.
• The duration of parenteral feeding ranged from 10 to 54 days, indicating sustained nutritional support.

Conclusions:

• Total parenteral nutrition delivered via peripheral veins is an effective method for promoting weight gain in infants with severe gastrointestinal anomalies.
• This approach appears to be safe, as evidenced by the absence of septicaemia in the study cohort.
• Peripheral parenteral nutrition can be a viable option for nutritional management in critically ill infants when central venous access is not feasible or indicated.