Parenteral nutrition

Parenteral nutrition supplies nutrients intravenously when oral or tube feeding cannot meet a person’s needs. It can provide some or all nutrition without using the digestive tract.

Total parenteral nutrition: Intravenous nutrition that supplies all or nearly all of a person’s nutritional requirements. It is the form used when the digestive tract cannot provide meaningful nutrition.
Short bowel syndrome: Intestinal failure caused by insufficient functional small intestine to absorb enough nutrients and fluids. Some people with severe short bowel syndrome depend on long-term intravenous nutrition.
Amino acid: An organic molecule that serves as a building block of proteins; some amino acids are essential nutrients. Amino acid solutions provide protein building blocks in intravenous nutrition.
Catheter-related bloodstream infection: A bloodstream infection originating from an intravascular catheter or its insertion site. Central access exposes patients receiving parenteral nutrition to this preventable complication.
Oral nutrition: Nutrient intake by eating and drinking through the mouth. It is the usual route when a person can safely consume enough food.
Peripheral parenteral nutrition: Intravenous nutrition delivered through a peripheral vein, usually for limited duration or lower nutrient concentrations. It offers a less central route when the formulation and treatment duration permit.
Intestinal failure: A reduction in intestinal function below the level needed to absorb nutrients and fluids for health or growth. It is a broad clinical condition for which parenteral nutrition may provide essential support.
Dextrose: A form of glucose used in medical solutions as a source of carbohydrate energy. Intravenous dextrose is a major source of nonprotein calories in many formulations.
Hyperglycemia: A blood glucose concentration above the normal range. Glucose delivery and illness can raise blood sugar during treatment.
Tube feeding: Delivery of liquid nutrition into the stomach or intestine through a feeding tube. It uses the gut and is preferred when digestion and absorption remain adequate.

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