Nutritional Support for Moderate-to-Late-Preterm Infants - A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Most moderate-to-late-preterm infants need nutritional support until they are feeding exclusively on their mother's breast milk. Evidence to guide nutrition strategies for these infants is lacking. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, factorial, randomized trial involving infants born at 32 weeks 0 days' to 35 weeks 6 days' gestation who had intravenous access and whose mothers intended to breast-feed. Each infant was assigned to three interventions or their comparators: intravenous amino acid solution (parenteral nutrition) or dextrose solution until full feeding with milk was established; milk supplement given when maternal milk was insufficient or mother's breast milk exclusively with no supplementation; and taste and smell exposure before gastric-tube feeding or no taste and smell exposure. The primary outcome for the parenteral nutrition and the milk supplement interventions was the body-fat percentage at 4 months of corrected gestational age, and the primary outcome for the taste and smell intervention was the time to full enteral feeding (150 ml per kilogram of body weight per day or exclusive breast-feeding). RESULTS: A total of 532 infants (291 boys [55%]) were included in the trial. The mean (±SD) body-fat percentage at 4 months was similar among the infants who received parenteral nutrition and those who received dextrose solution (26.0±5.4% vs. 26.2±5.2%; adjusted mean difference, -0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.32 to 0.92; P = 0.72) and among the infants who received milk supplement and those who received mother's breast milk exclusively (26.3±5.3% vs. 25.8±5.4%; adjusted mean difference, 0.65; 95% CI, -0.45 to 1.74; P = 0.25). The time to full enteral feeding was similar among the infants who were exposed to taste and smell and those who were not (5.8±1.5 vs. 5.7±1.9 days; P = 0.59). Secondary outcomes were similar across interventions. Serious adverse events occurred in one infant. CONCLUSIONS: This trial of routine nutrition interventions to support moderate-to-late-preterm infants until full nutrition with mother's breast milk was possible did not show any effects on the time to full enteral feeding or on body composition at 4 months of corrected gestational age. (Funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and others; DIAMOND Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12616001199404.).

Bacterial contamination of lightproof covers for high-calorie infusion solutions in wards.

Deterioration of drugs due to light exposure is one of the major concerns, especially regarding protection of high-calorie infusion solutions, lightproof covers are used in hospitals. In the absence of any set standards regarding their usage, they are often reused. This study aimed to investigate bacterial contamination of lightproof covers used in hospital wards. For this, lightproof covers which had been used or stored in wards were collected and bacterial cultures were carried out from them. Examination of the cultures revealed that bacteria were present in the used lightproof covers. The bacterial species detected in the used lightproof covers were Bacillus species Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Bacillus species and CNS were also detected in lightproof covers stored in wards, whereas MRSA was not detected. Intestinal bacteria were detected in only one lightproof cover. However, no bacteria were detected from either inside or outside of the unused lightproof covers that were stored in the drugs department. After allowing the unused lightproof covers stored in the drugs department to stand for 24 h, Bacillus species and CNS were detected in only one of the covers, whereas no bacteria was detected in other covers. These results indicate that there is a risk of bacterial contamination in the reuse of lightproof covers and that they should either be disposed off properly after usage or hand, finger disinfectants should be used while handling them to prevent any possible contamination.

Acute Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients with COVID-19 Receiving Parenteral Nutrition.

Hypertriglyceridemia is a metabolic complication associated with parenteral nutrition (PN). It is unknown if patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 are more at risk. Our aim was to describe the incidence, risk factors and clinical impact of hypertriglyceridemia in critically ill patients with ARDS-COVID-19 receiving PN. We designed a cohort study of patients with ARDS-COVID-19 infection that required admission to critical care units and nutritional support with PN. Individual PN prescriptions for macronutrients and insulin were provided. Lipid emulsion contained fish oil (SMOFlipid® or Lipoplus®). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as plasma levels above 400 mg/dL. Eighty-seven patients, 66.6% men, 60.1 ± 10.8 years old, BMI 29.1 ± 5.6 kg/m2, 71% of whom received lopinavir/ritonavir, 56% received Propofol and 55% received Tocilizumab were included. The incidence of hypertriglyceridemia was 37 × 100 patient-days with PN. This complication was more frequent in obese patients (OR 3.34; 95% CI, 2.35-4.33) and in those treated with lopinavir/ritonavir (OR 4.98; 95% CI, 3.60-6.29) or Propofol (OR 2.45; 95% CI, 1.55-3.35). Total mortality was 33.3%, similar between the type of lipid emulsion (p = 0.478). On average, patients with hypertriglyceridemia had a longer requirement of PN compared to the group without elevated triglycerides (TG), probably because of their longer survival (p = 0.001). TG higher than 400 mg/dL was not a protective factor for mortality (OR 0.31; 95% CI, 0.01-1.30). In conclusion, the incidence of hypertriglyceridemia was 37 × 100 patient-days with PN. The risk of this complication is associated with obesity and the use of lopinavir/ritonavir or Propofol.

Macronutrients in Parenteral Nutrition: Amino Acids.

The right amount and quality of amino acids (AAs) supplied to patients on parenteral nutrition (PN) reduces muscle mass loss, may preserve or even increase it, with significant clinical benefits. Several industrial PN mixtures are available so that nutrition specialists can choose the product closest to the patient's needs. In selected cases, there is the possibility of personalizing compounded mixtures in a hospital pharmacy that completely meets the individual nutritional needs of PN patients. This narrative review deals with the AA solutions used in PN mixtures. The physiology, the methods to calculate the AA needs, and the AA and energy requirements suggested by scientific guidelines for each patient type are also reported.

Neonatal parenteral nutrition

This guideline covers parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding) for babies born preterm, up to 28 days after their due birth date and babies born at term, up to 28 days after their birth. Parenteral nutrition is often needed by preterm babies, critically ill babies, and babies who need surgery.

Dietitians' Evaluation of Clearing Luminal Occlusions of Gunk (DECLOG): A Pilot Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Tube clogging is the most frequent mechanical complication associated with enteral nutrition. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a protocol incorporating prophylactic use of a declogging system with enhanced patient education and monitoring to proactively reduce the incidence of tube occlusions in the home care setting. METHODS: A convenient sample of patients discharged from hospital to home enteral nutrition (HEN) was screened for eligibility and randomized to control group (standard care) or study group (standard care with prophylactic protocol and monitoring). Study patients received 4 enzyme declogging kits before discharge and were instructed to administer them every 7 days for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Seventeen of 49 (35%) patients reported tube occlusions. The incidence of tube occlusion in the control group was not statistically different than in the study group (29% vs 39%, P = 0.44). There was no difference between the 2 groups for negative tube outcomes, such as tube occlusion (P = 0.44), emergency department visit (P = 0.24), tube replacement (P = 0.99), or hospital readmission (P = 0.33). Continuous feeding method (P = 0.037), small-bowel feeding tubes (P = 0.016), and tube diameter <14 French (P = 0.069) were associated with tube occlusions. CONCLUSION: A prophylactic protocol using an enzyme declogging system did not lessen the likelihood of tube occlusions when compared with standard care. Multiple factors are associated with tube occlusion. More research investigating the use of a declogging system to prevent clogging incidence in patients receiving HEN is warranted.

A physiological approach to fluid and electrolyte management of the preterm infant: Review.

Despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of preterm infants receive parenteral fluids each year, study of optimal fluid and electrolyte management in this population is limited. Compared to older children and adults, preterm infants have an impaired capacity to regulate water and electrolyte balance. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management is critical for optimal care of low birth weight or sick infants, as fluid overload and electrolyte abnormalities pose significant morbidity. This review highlights basic physiological principles which need to be applied when prescribing parenteral fluids and builds upon published literature to outline a rational approach to initial fluid and electrolyte management of the preterm infant.

Wastage of standardised parenteral nutrition solution - a challenge for neonatal units.

Background: Standardised parental nutrition (PN) has been used in many neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Easy accessibility, better provision of nutrients, reduced prescription errors and cost savings are some of its benefits. Fixed large volume (e.g. 750-1000 mL) and short expiry limit (48 hrs) along with changing metabolic needs of neonates leads to significant wastage of PN solution. Objective: To evaluate wastage of PN solution in our 22-bedded NICU. Methods: The audit was conducted over 21-month period (July 2015-April 2017). Data on PN use (e.g. type, duration, infused volume, residual after use) was obtained from hospital records. The discarded volume of PN was estimated after subtracting the administered volume based on the rate of infusion from the total volume in the bag. Cumulative "discarded" volume as percentage of the total "supplied" volume was calculated. Results: A total of 305-PN bags (Standardised: Preterm: 222, Term: 83) were used. The estimated total used, discarded, and percentage discarded volumes for standard preterm and term PN were 78.1, 88 L, 53% and 33.5, 49.7 L, and 59.8%, respectively. Conclusions: There was more than 50% wastage of PN solution in our NICU. The estimated cost of this PN wastage was around 21,000 AUD over 21 months. Strategies such as minipack should be explored to prevent such losses.

Selección de emulsiones lipídicas en nutrición parenteral: parámetros bioquímicos y hematológicos / Lipid emulsion selection in parenteral nutrition. Biochemical and hematological paramaters

Introducción: el patrón de ácidos grasos (AG) de las emulsiones lipídicas (EL) utilizadas en nutrición parenteral (NP) condiciona diferentes respuestas fisiológicas. Objetivos: estudiar si los criterios clínicos de prescripción de EL en NP establecidos en nuestro protocolo abierto y basados en recomendaciones se correlacionan con marcadores bioquímicos y hematológicos iniciales. Métodos: estudio observacional retrospectivo de cuatro años. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas, nutricionales y analíticas al inicio de la NP. Se realizó un análisis uni y multivariante para estudiar la asociación entre los valores iniciales de los parámetros bioquímicos y hematológicos (PBHE) y el tipo de emulsión lipídica empleada. Resultados: de los 1.558 pacientes, 460 pacientes (29,5%) tenían PBHE al inicio de la NP y utilizaron mayoritariamente las combinaciones soja (AS) + triglicéridos de cadena media (MCT) + oliva (AO) + pescado (AP) (37,4%) y AS+MCT+AO (35,6%). Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el patrón EL utilizado entre los pacientes con y sin PBHE: patrón de AG con AP 44,8% vs. 39,5%, respectivamente. Las situaciones clínicas con proteína C-reactiva (PCR) elevada se asociaron con mayor uso de EL con AP: AS+AO+AP (OR: 4,52 [IC 95%: 1,43-13,91] y AS+MCT+AO+AP (OR: 3,34 [IC 95%: 2,10-5,33]). En situaciones clínicas complejas asociadas con paciente crítico se utilizó EL con MCT: afectación hepática (AS+MCT OR: 2,42 [IC 95%: 1,03-5,68]) y afectación renal (AS+MCT+AP OR: 3,34 [IC 95%: 1,12-9,99]). Conclusiones: la inclusión protocolizada de PBHE al inicio de la NP permite complementar criterios clínicos y metabólicos en la elección de la EL (AU)

Introduction: Lipid emulsions (LE) are a component of parenteral nutrition (PN) and its fatty acid (FA) profile determines various physiological responses. Objectives: To assess the adequacy of a clinical not restricted protocol in the choice of LE by studying complementary biochemical and hematological parameters (BHP) at the beginning of the PN. Methods: A 4-year retrospective observational study of LE administered to patients with PN. Demographic, clinical, nutritional and analytical variables at the beginning of the PN were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study the correlation between the initial clinical and biochemical parameters and the LE profile used. Results: Four hundred and sixty patients (29.5%) out of 1,558 had BHP at the beginning of PN and used mainly the LE combinations soybean (SO) + medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) + olive (OO) + fi sh (FO) (37.4%) and SO + MCT + OO (35.6%). Statistically significant differences on the LE pattern were observed between patients with and those without initial BHP (44.8% vs 39.5% received FO, respectively). Conditions regularly associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) were associated with increased use of FO LE: SO+OO+FO (OR: 4.52 [95% CI: 1.43-13.91]) and SO+MCT+OO+FO (OR: 3.34 [95% CI: 2.10-5.33]). In those complex conditions related with the critical patient MCT were used: hepatic failure (SO+MCT OR: 2.42 [95% CI: 1.03-5.68]) and renal failure (SO+MCT+FO OR: 3.34 [95% CI: 1.12-9.99]). Conclusions: The use of BHP at the beginning of PN treatment allows complementing the clinical and metabolic criteria in LE selection (AU)

Guía de práctica clínica SENPE/SEGHNP/SEFH sobre nutrición parenteral pediátrica / Pediatric parenteral nutrition: clinical practice guidelines from the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE), the Spanish Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP) and the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH)

Introducción: la nutrición parenteral (NP) en la infancia es un tratamiento cuyas características son muy variables en función de la edad y la patología que presente el paciente. Material y métodos: el grupo de Estandarización y Protocolos de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral (SENPE) es un grupo interdisciplinar formado por miembros de la SENPE, Sociedad Española de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica (SEGHNP) y Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria (SEFH) que pretende poner al día este tema. Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión pormenorizada de la literatura buscando las evidencias que nos permiten elaborar una Guía de Práctica Clínica siguiendo los criterios del Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Resultados: este manuscrito expone de forma resumida las recomendaciones en cuanto a indicaciones, vías de acceso, requerimientos, modificaciones en situaciones especiales, componentes de las mezclas, prescripción y estandarización, preparación, administración, monitorización, complicaciones y NP domiciliaria. El documento completo se publica como número monográfico. Conclusiones: esta guía pretende servir de apoyo para la prescripción de la NP pediátrica. Constituye la base para tomar decisiones en el contexto de la evidencia existente. Ninguna guía puede tener en cuenta todas las circunstancias clínicas individuales (AU)

Introduction: Parenteral nutrition (PN) in childhood is a treatment whose characteristics are highly variable depending on the age and pathology of the patient. Material and methods: The Standardization and Protocols Group of the Spanish Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE) is an interdisciplinary group formed by members of the SENPE, the Spanish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition (SEGHNP) and the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH) that intends to update this issue. For this, a detailed review of the literature has been carried out, looking for the evidences that allow us to elaborate a Clinical Practice Guide following the criteria of the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. Results: This manuscript summarizes the recommendations regarding indications, access routes, requirements, modifications in special situations, components of the mixtures, prescription and standardization, preparation, administration, monitoring, complications and home NP. The complete document is published as a monographic number. Conclusions: This guide is intended to support the prescription of pediatric PN. It provides the basis for rational decisions in the context of the existing evidence. No guidelines can take into account all of the often compelling individual clinical circumstances (AU)

Nutritional Practices and Growth in Premature Infants After Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the nutritional provisions received by infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and the associated effects on short-term growth. METHODS: Through the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database, we identified infants born ≤32 weeks' gestation with surgical NEC from 5 regional neonatal intensive care units for 4 years. Excluded infants had isolated intestinal perforation and died <14 days postoperatively. Infants were stratified by their median parenteral protein dose (low [LP] or high [HP] protein) for the first postoperative week. The primary outcome was postoperative weight growth velocity. Growth (weight, length, and head circumference [HC]) was measured and the effects related to protein dose were estimated using multivariable analyses. RESULTS: There were 103 infants included; the median parenteral protein dose received was 3.27 g ·â€Škg ·â€Šday (LP: 2.80 g ·â€Škg ·â€Šday; HP: 3.87 g ·â€Škg ·â€Šday). Postoperative weight (11.5 ±â€Š6.5 g ·â€Škg ·â€Šday) and linear growth (0.9 ±â€Š0.2 cm/wk) were similar regardless of dose (P > 0.3 between groups for weight and length). Unadjusted and independent associations were identified with HC changes and HP dose (ß = 0.1 cm/wk, P = 0.03) after adjusting for gestational age, the presence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, short bowel syndrome, blood stream infection, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, small for gestational age, and calorie intake. Eventual nonsurvivors received 18% less protein and 14% fewer calories over the first postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative protein doses in infants with surgical NEC appear related to increases in HC. The influence of postoperative nutritional support on risk of adverse outcomes deserves further attention.

Prescripción y estandarización de la nutrición parenteral pediátrica / Ordering and standardisation of pediatric parenteral nutrition

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Preparación de las nutriciones parenterales pediátricas / Preparation of pediatric parenteral nutrition solutions

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Monitorización de la nutrición parenteral pediátrica / Monitoring pediatric parenteral nutrition

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Teduglutida: revisión de su uso en el síndrome de intestino corto / Teduglutide: a review of its use in short bowel syndrome

Introducción: la nutrición parenteral (NP) a largo plazo puede asociarse a complicaciones graves, con un deterioro importante de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con síndrome de intestino corto (SIC). La teduglutida, un análogo del péptido-2 similar al glucagón, pertenece a una nueva familia terapéutica y representa el primer abordaje no sintomático del SIC. Objetivos: revisar los datos preclínicos y clínicos en cuanto a eficacia y seguridad de la teduglutida. Resultados: la aprobación de la teduglutida se basó en los resultados de un estudio en fase III de 24 semanas, doble ciego, controlado con placebo (STEPS). Pacientes con fallo intestinal por SIC dependientes de NP ≥ 3 veces/semana durante ≥ 12 meses recibieron 0,05 mg/kg de teduglutida (n = 43) o placebo (n = 43) 1 vez/día. En la semana 24 hubo significativamente más respondedores en el grupo de la teduglutida que en el de placebo (63 s. 30%; p = 0,002). La reducción absoluta media del volumen de NP frente al valor basal en la semana 24 fue significativamente mayor con la teduglutida (4,4 vs. 2,3 l/semana; p < 0,001). La necesidad de NP se redujo ≥ 1 día en la semana 24 en el 54% de pacientes tratados con teduglutida vs. 23% con placebo. Del total de pacientes que recibieron teduglutida en los ensayos en fase III (n = 134), el 12% consiguió una autonomía completa de la NP. Por lo general, la administración subcutánea de teduglutida se toleró bien. Conclusiones: se ha demostrado que teduglutida recupera la absorción intestinal y reduce significativamente la dependencia de la NP, consiguiendo incluso la independencia en algunos pacientes (AU)

Introduction: Long-term Parenteral Support (PS) can be associated with serious complications, with a significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Teduglutide is a recombinant analogue of glucagon-like peptide-2; it belongs to a novel therapeutic family and represents the first non-symptomatic approach against SBS. Objectives: To review the non-clinical and clinical data on efficacy and safety of teduglutide. Results: Teduglutide approval was based on results from a pivotal Phase III, 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (STEPS). SBS patients dependent on PS ≥ 3 times/week for ≥ 12 months received 0.05 mg/kg teduglutide (n = 43) or placebo (n = 43) 1 time/day. At week 24 there were signifi cantly more responders in the teduglutide group vs. placebo (63 vs. 30%; p = 0.002). The overall mean reduction vs. PS baseline volume at week 24 was significantly higher with teduglutide vs. placebo (4.4 vs. 2.3 l/ week, p < 0.001). At week 24 the need for PS was reduced in at least 1 day in 54% of patients treated with teduglutide vs. 23% with placebo. Of the total of patients who received teduglutide in phase III trials (n = 134), 12% achieved complete autonomy from PS. Subcutaneous teduglutide was generally well tolerated. Conclusions: Teduglutide has been shown to enhance intestinal absorptive capacity and signifi cantly reduce PS dependency, even achieving independency in some patients (AU)

Parenteral Nutrition Basics for the Clinician Caring for the Adult Patient.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a life-sustaining therapy providing nutrients to individuals with impaired intestinal tract function and enteral access challenges. It is one of the most complex prescriptions written routinely in the hospital and home care settings. This article is to aid the nutrition support clinician in the safe provision of PN, including selecting appropriate patients for PN, vascular access, development of a PN admixture, appropriate therapy monitoring, recognition of preparation options, and awareness of preparation and stability concerns.

Role of the pharmacist in parenteral nutrition therapy: challenges and opportunities to implement pharmaceutical care in Kuwait

Background: Pharmacists can provide beneficial pharmaceutical care services to patients receiving Parenteral Nutrition (PN) therapy by working within Nutrition Support Teams (NSTs). Objective: This study was designed to explore pharmacists’ role in PN therapy in hospitals of Kuwait, sources of PN-related information, opinions on NSTs, perceptions about the barriers to pharmaceutical care implementation and views on how to enhance their practices. Methods: Data were collected via face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the senior Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) pharmacists at all the hospitals which provide TPN preparation services (six governmental hospitals and one private hospital) in Kuwait. Descriptive statistics were used to describe pharmacists’ demographic details and practice site characteristics. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The pharmacists mainly performed technical tasks such as TPN compounding with minimal role in providing direct patient care. They used multiple different sources of TPN-related information to guide their practice. They reported positive and negative experiences with physicians depending on their practice environment. None of the hospitals had a functional NST. However, pharmacists expressed preference to work within NSTs due to the potential benefits of enhanced communication and knowledge exchange among practitioners and to improve service. Pharmacists perceived several barriers to providing pharmaceutical care including lack of reliable sources of TPN-related information, lack of a standard operating procedure for TPN across hospitals, insufficient staff, time constraints and poor communication between TPN pharmacists. To overcome these barriers, they recommended fostering pharmacists’ education on TPN, establishing national standards for TPN practices, provision of pharmacy staff, development of NSTs, enhancing TPN pharmacists’ communication and conducting TPN-research research. Conclusion: TPN pharmacists in Kuwait are confined to performing TPN manufacturing processes. There are promising avenues for future development of their role in patient care. This can be achieved by overcoming the barriers to pharmaceutical care practice and providing pharmacists with educational opportunities to equip them with the clinical competencies needed to practise as nutrition support pharmacists with patient-centred roles (AU)

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Ácido docosahexaenoico. ¿Un ácido graso omega-3 esencial? / Docosahexaenoic acid: an essential omega-3 fatty acid?

El papel del ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA) ha sido ignorado durante muchos años. En los últimos 20 años se le ha prestado progresivamente mayor atención, hasta el punto de poderse considerar como esencial en el lactante y en determinadas patologías, al resultar poco eficiente su conversión a partir de sus precursores omega-3 (ácidos alfa-linolénico y eicosapentaenoico). Este artículo analiza la evolución en el tiempo de las ingestas de DHA recomendadas por los organismos internacionales en diversas edades, las cantidades de DHA en alimentos para lactantes fijadas por la legislación de la Unión Europea (UE), y las autorizaciones en la UE de declaraciones nutricionales y también sobre propiedades saludables en el cerebro y la visión (AU)

The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been ignored during many years. In the last 20 years more attention to it has progressively been given, to the extent that it could be considered as essential in the infant and in certain pathologies, because its conversion from its omega-3 precursors (alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids) is poorly efficient. The present article analyses the evolution along the years of DHA intakes recommended by international institutions for different ages, DHA amounts in infant foods established by the EU law, and authorizations in the EU on nutritional claims and also health claims related to brain and vision (AU)

Clinical Experience With Numeta in Preterm Infants: Impact on Nutrient Intake and Costs.

BACKGROUND: A new "ready-to-use" triple-chamber container, Numeta (Baxter, Deerfield, IL), is available for preterm parenteral nutrition (PN) to provide nutrients according to the recommendations of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) Guidelines for Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition. We investigated the clinical application of Numeta compared with individualized PN in preterm infants (≤1.500 g) and evaluated the effects on nutrient intake, costs, and preparation time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a clinical observational study, prescriptions for preterm infants were performed with the new prescription software catoPAN (Cato Software Solutions, Becton Dickinson, Vienna, Austria). Individualized PN and Numeta prescriptions were mirrored, and nutrition content of the PNs was compared with each other and with ESPGHAN/ESPEN recommendations. Furthermore, costs and preparation time were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 374 PN solutions (>1000 g [n = 333]/≤1000 g [n = 41]) were analyzed. Protein intake with Numeta was significantly lower compared with individualized PN and did not meet the recommendations for infants <1500 g during the first day and the period of transition after birth. Energy intake was significantly higher with Numeta. The costs for Numeta preparations were €18 (about US$20) higher than for individualized PN. However, the preparation time/solution was 2 minutes faster with Numeta. CONCLUSION: Numeta is an alternative to individualized PN for infants >1000 g in the period of stable growth when enteral feedings have already started. Protein intake is significantly lower than in individualized PN solutions. Numeta is more expensive in comparison to individualized PN but saves human resources.