Nutrition, Parenteral

Abstract

Parenteral nutrition refers to methods that provide all required nutrients intravenously. This major advance in medical therapeutics is indicated for individuals with medical conditions that preclude safe or effective oral or enteral nutrition. Nutrient solutions provide nonprotein calories as glucose or lipids or a combination thereof, synthetic amino acids as the source for protein synthesis, electrolytes, trace elements, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Patients receiving such therapy, either in the hospital or at home, require careful monitoring, optimally by a dedicated team, to avoid complications, such as infection or metabolic derangements.