Total parenteral nutrition. A brief review.

The ideal solution for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) should contain nutrients equivalent to those of a well balanced, oral diet. With that goal in mind, available solutions usually provide adult patients with approximately 3,000 ml. solution daily, which supply about 12 gm. nitrogen and 2,400 kcal, with vitamins and minerals added as required. (Infants require relatively greater amounts of fluids and calories per kilogram.) The most critical concern in TPN is that of fluid and electrolyte balance, which varies with the patient. In this paper, the composition of four commercial TPN solutions is tabulated, as are recommendations for trace elements and vitamins which should be included.