Hepatic complications of total parenteral nutrition.

Elevations in serum hepatic enzyme levels and alterations in hepatic morphology have been noted in patients on total parenteral nutrition, in some cases progressing to fatal hepatic failure. Various factors such as toxins, inappropriate substrates, overfeeding, deficiency states, and gut hormone alterations have been implicated. It would appear that the tailoring of nutritional support to meet patient needs and the maintenance of normal gut integrity will be of increasing importance in reducing the incidence of this potentially fatal complication.