Home parenteral nutrition in children: procedures, experiences and reflections

• Published in: Nutrición hospitalaria : organo oficial de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 705 - 711
• Main Authors: Pedrón-Giner, C, Martínez-Costa, C, Gómez-López, L, Navas-López, V M, Redecillas Ferreiro, S, Moreno-Villares, J M, Prieto Borzano, G, Gomis Muñoz, P, Morais López, A, Irastorza Terradillos, I, García-Novo, Ma D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Spain Grupo Arán 01.09.2010
• Subjects: Child; Family; Food, Formulated; Humans; Infection - etiology; Intestinal Diseases - rehabilitation; Intestines - transplantation; Metabolic Diseases - etiology; Monitoring, Physiologic; Nutrition & Dietetics; Parenteral Nutrition, Home - adverse effects; Parenteral Nutrition, Home - methods; Parenteral Nutrition, Home - psychology; Patient Discharge; Quality of Life; Solutions; Pediatrics; Cuidados domiciliarios; Nutritional support; Pediatría; Home parenteral nutrition; Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria; Soporte nutricional; Home care services
• ISSN: 1699-5198; 1699-5198

This document summarizes the issues raised in a think-tank meeting held by professionals with expertise in pediatric Home Parenteral Nutrition. This nutritional technology enables patients to return home to their family and social environment, improves their quality of life and decreases health-care costs; however, it is complex and requires an experienced nutritional support team. Patient selection is normally made according to their underlying disease, the estimated duration of support and family and social characteristics. The patient''s family must agree to take on caregiver's responsibilities and should be able to perform treatment safely and effectively after receiving proper training from the nutritional support team. Close monitoring must be carried out to ensure tolerance and effectiveness of nutritional support, thereby avoiding complications. This nutritional treatment achieves, in most cases, recovery and intestinal adaptation in varying periods of time. In certain diseases, and when home parenteral nutrition becomes complicated, intestinal transplant may be recommendable, so referral to rehabilitation units and Intestinal Transplantation should be made early on.