What exactly is Total Parenteral Nutrition? Known as intravenous or IV nutrition feeding, TPN facilitates the absorption of required nutrients into the body through its veins. While healthy individuals get their nutrition through the digestive tract, TPN supplies all the nutritional requirements that human beings need daily. Partial parenteral nutrition, on the other hand, supplies only part of the daily nutritional requirements – often supplementing oral intake.
TPN typically contains a good amount of water, energy expenditure, amino acids, essential minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. That said, TPN mixtures are best recommended by doctors as they would know best the right mixture of protein, carbohydrates, fat vitamins, and glucose for the patient.
Because TPN can be administered at home (besides the hospital), understanding the ins and outs of the medical care can help you provide better support for a loved one who might be needing it.
Who needs TPN?
Begin by understanding the type of patients who end up requiring TPN. TPN is not only administered to adults but children as well. A better way of recognising who needs TPN would be to assess their medical background and history.
When all or part of an individual’s digestive system fails to function normally, TPN becomes a need. Often, it is due to a gastrointestinal disorder that the patient struggles with swallowing food, having it move through the digestive system, and absorb the nutrients found in the food. Patients with disorders that necessitate complete bowel rest also need TPN.
What’s surprising is, TPN is highly common among children and adolescents. More often than not, these children have short bowel syndrome – an outcome of intestinal diseases like microvillus inclusion disease or malfunctioning of the small intestines.
Administration of TPN | How do you do it?
Because it is a specialised form of nutritional support, TPN must be administered carefully in clean, sterile environments. TPN is usually administered into a vein through a peripherally inserted central catheter, but it can also be done through a central line. If TPN is done at home, we recommend having qualified nurses that can offer support and recognise infections when they arise.
What are the side effects of TPN?
Some of the common side effects of TPN include mouth sores, changes in the skin, and poor night vision. If you experience less common side effects like fever, chills, and swelling in your hands, legs, and feet – it is advisable to contact your doctor for advice.
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