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Parenteral Nutrition (PN)
Intravenous delivery of complete macronutrient and micronutrient nutrition, indicated when enteral feeding is impossible, inadequate, or unsafe (severe SBS, ileus, intestinal failure, certain GI surgeries).
Also: PN, TPN, Total Parenteral Nutrition, Total parenteral nutrition
PN delivers dextrose (the primary carbohydrate source), amino acids, intravenous lipid emulsions (soybean, mixed soybean/MCT/olive/fish oil [SMOFlipid], pure fish oil), electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements. Major complications: catheter-related bloodstream infection, hyperglycemia, hepatic steatosis and PN-associated liver disease (PNALD), and bone disease in chronic PN. Mixed lipid emulsions and fish oil-based emulsions reduce PNALD in pediatric intestinal failure.
How each textbook covers it
Krause and Mahan's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 16th ed. — Chapter 12
Central PN (CPN) uses a central venous catheter to deliver a hypertonic formula; peripheral PN (PPN) is limited by osmolarity. Indications include severe short-bowel syndrome, prolonged ileus, high-output fistulas, and intestinal failure. Total nutrient admixture (3-in-1) combines all macronutrients in one bag. Complications include catheter-related bloodstream infection, hyperglycemia, hepatic steatosis, and refeeding syndrome.
Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 91: Nutrition Support
PN delivers dextrose (the primary carbohydrate source), amino acids, intravenous lipid emulsions (soybean, mixed soybean/MCT/olive/fish oil [SMOFlipid], pure fish oil), electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements. Major complications: catheter-related bloodstream infection, hyperglycemia, hepatic steatosis and PN-associated liver disease (PNALD), and bone disease in chronic PN. Mixed lipid emulsions and fish oil-based emulsions reduce PNALD in pediatric intestinal failure.
Related terms
Enteral Nutrition, Enteral nutrition, Refeeding Syndrome, Refeeding syndrome, Short bowel syndrome, Short-Bowel Syndrome