Safety and Outcome of High Dose Parenteral Amino Acid Supplementation for VLBW Neonates on Partial Parenteral Nutrition: A Randomised Controlled Study

Abstract

Introduction: Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is prescribed to meet a neonate’s requirement for growth and development when his/her condition and/or gestation prevents complete enteral feeding. In India Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is used in neonatal units with inadequate facilities to prepare TPN. Aim: To evaluate the effect of supplementation of high dose parenteral Amino Acid (AA) on growth and biochemical parameters of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) neonates receiving PPN in first week of life. Materials and Methods: This was a Randomised controlled study, conducted in a tertiary care medical center. Sixty VLBW newborns with birth weight of 0.05) between the two groups during the hospital stay. The mean hospital stay was 23±4.5 days for Group A and 22.4± 3.6 days for Group B. Conclusion: Supplementation of high dose parenteral AA in VLBW infants receiving PPN does not help in weight gain during hospital stay, although well tolerated.

Keywords

• birth weight
• blood urea nitrogen
• sodium
• tertiary healthcare
• weight gain
• weight loss