Total parenteral nutrition in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is used both to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and to treat infants who develop the disease. Evidence for the efficacy of the technique in both settings is discussed. Several practical aspects of TPN also are discussed, as are a variety of theoretical considerations relevant to use of TPN either to prevent NEC or as an adjunct to treatment of the infant with the disease.