Home parenteral nutrition: results in 34 pediatric patients.

Although home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has been used successfully for adult patients, no extensive experience with children has been reported. During the past three years, we have managed 34 patients, ages 1 1/2 months to 20 1/2 years, on a HPN program for periods ranging from 23 to 786 days. Silastic Broviac catheters were inserted into the superior vena cava through the jugular or cephalic veins or into the inferior vena cava through the saphenous vein. The catheters were brought out onto the chest or lower abdominal wall through a subcutaneous tunnel. Solutions were infused over a 10--14-hour period each day, using a volumetric pump system. All patients improved their nutritional status. Twenty-three of 29 on the program for more than two months showed an increase in height. All patients evidenced a significant decrease in symptomatology. All resumed per group activities while on HPN and were able to continue their education or work. At present 24 patients including 15 with Crohn's disease no longer receive HPN. Administration of HPN through a Broviac catheter is a safe, successful technique for maintaining an optimal nutritional status in children with severe digestive disorders, and permits resumption of a more normal daily lifestyle. Following HPN, bowel adaptation and initiation of full oral alimentation become possible in many patients.