Related Experiment Videos
Use of cyclic parenteral nutrition in infants less than 6 months of age
Insights
Cyclic parenteral nutrition, a method of infusing intravenous solutions for less than 24 hours, was well-tolerated in infants. This approach may decrease liver complications and improve metabolic parameters in infants requiring long-term parenteral nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neonatology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Cyclic parenteral nutrition (CPN) involves infusing intravenous solutions over less than 24 hours.
- CPN offers patients freedom from continuous intravenous support and may reduce adverse effects like liver complications seen in adults.
- Limited literature exists on CPN methods and outcomes in young infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the use of CPN in infants under 6 months of age.
- To provide guidelines for implementing CPN in this population.
- To evaluate the potential beneficial metabolic effects of CPN in infants requiring long-term parenteral nutrition.
Main Methods:
- A case series of 10 infants (<6 months) requiring long-term parenteral nutrition support.
- Data collected included diagnosis, gestational age, duration of parenteral nutrition, macronutrient intake, growth, and biochemical parameters.
- Cyclic parenteral nutrition was initiated with specific guidelines.
Main Results:
- CPN was well tolerated in all 10 infants.
- No clinical symptoms of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or glucosuria were observed.
- Eight of 10 patients showed a decrease or stabilization in direct bilirubin concentrations after initiating CPN.
Conclusions:
- Cyclic parenteral nutrition appears to be a safe and potentially beneficial method for infants requiring long-term nutritional support.
- CPN may lead to improved liver function, as indicated by bilirubin levels, in this vulnerable population.
- Further research is warranted to establish optimal CPN protocols and long-term outcomes in neonates and young infants.
Abstract:
Cyclic parenteral nutrition is the technique of infusing the intravenous solution in less than 24 hours, during a portion of the day or night, allowing the patient freedom from the intravenous tubing and pump apparatus. In addition, adverse effects of long-term parenteral therapy, such as liver complications, were reported to be decreased with the use of cyclic parenteral nutrition in adult patients. Literature on the method and effects of cycling in young infants is minimal. This report describes cyclic parenteral nutrition use with guidelines for cycling and the potential beneficial metabolic effects in 10 infants less than 6 months of age who required long-term parenteral nutrition support. Diagnosis, gestational age, length of time on parenteral nutrition, macronutrient intake, growth, and biochemical parameters for the patients are presented. Overall, cyclic parenteral nutrition was well tolerated without clinical symptoms of hypoglycemia, elevated capillary blood glucose concentrations, or abnormal urine glucose levels. The direct bilirubin concentrations showed a decrease or stabilization after cycling was initiated in eight of 10 patients.