A clinical and metabolic study of an intravenous feeding technique using peripheral veins as the initial infusion site.

Two commercially available, high-caloric intravenous solutions were given as the sole source of calories to 23 children (aged three weeks to 17 years), all gravely ill and unable to ingest untrients, for one to 12 weeks. All but one survived, gained weight, remained in positive nitrogen balance and resumed taking adequate diets by mouth.The patients utilized sugar, amino acids and fats efficiently without abnormalities of kidney and liver function. Septicemia developed in six of 15 patients receiving solution by central venous catheter. Those receiving infusion by peripheral vein only, eight of 23, remained infection-free.The procedure is safe if serum electrolytes are constantly and meticulously monitored and is a useful adjunct to the treatment of children unable to eat.