Growth and nitrogen utilization in rats on continuous and intermittent parenteral nutrition with and without fat (Intralipid 20%).

A rat model relevant to paediatric praxis was designed in order to evaluate possible differences between total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with fat (Intralipid 20%), and isocaloric TPN without fat and also to compare continuous TPN (24 hours/day) versus intermittent TPN (12 hours/day). TPN with fat resulted in better growth and nitrogen utilization. Continuous TPN with fat resulted in statistically significant better nitrogen utilization. The results suggest that TPN in paediatric praxis should be continuous and include fat.