[Biological and hormonal balance during oral nutrition, exclusive perenteral and mixed nutrition in children].

Exclusive parenteral nutrition and mixed feeding provided by the infusion of a solution of amino-acids, glucose and trace elements by a drip method, result in changes in biological and hormonal balance which have been compared with balance in the child on normal oral feeding. The 24-hour cortisol cycle tends to be attenuated. Blood glucose and, above all, blood insulin levels show major variations. Plasma free fatty acid levels, stable in exclusive parenteral nutrition, in general vary with mixed nutrition. On the basis of these findings, a constant flow should be ensured by use of a pump during exclusive parenteral nutrition. In mixed feeding, meals should be frequent and energy supplies given in the form of slowly absorbed carbohydrates.