Home parenteral nutrition.

One hundred and six patients were placed on a home parenteral nutrition program because of severe gastrointestinal tract lesions. In 41, sufficient improvement allowed the resumption of oral alimentation. Forty-eight remain on the program. Seventeen, including ten with malignant disease, died from causes not related to home parenteral nutrition. All patients achieved and maintained the appropriate weight for age and body build. In the pediatric patients, normal or accelerated linear growth occurred. Complications included sepsis, 18 episodes in 12 patients; local infection of the catheter, 14 in six; catheter thrombosis, six in five; ketoacidosis, one in one; contaminated solutions, one in one, and essential fatty acid deficiency, one in one. Home parenteral nutrition is a relatively safe and effective alternative for long term nutritional support.