[Pre-operative and post-operative parenteral feeding in infancy (author's transl)]

The fluid, electrolyte and caloric requirements and the necessary intake of protein-building elements are reviewed with special reference to parenteral feeding before, during and after surgical operations. During the pre-operative stage the replacement of lost body fluid arising from gastro-intestinal disturbances in infancy is of major importance. Adequate quantities of electrolytes must also be added to the replacement fluid during the operation; sodium depletion is usually counteracted by administration of bicarbonate buffers. Methods for restoring the blood volume to normal and for approximately estimating the required quantities are described. During the post-operative period, which is characterized by the so-called post-aggression metabolism with increased ergotropy, the caloric requirements are particularly high while glucose utilization is apt to be disturbed. A plan for meeting the caloric requirements under various post-operative conditions is outlined.