Objective: To analyze the use of paediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) in a tertiary level hospital in Spain (1994-2008).
Materials and methods: The charts from infants and children receiving NP in 2008 were reviewed. Data were compared with those in 1994 and 2002.
Results: 120 patients received PN, 78 and 71 corresponding to 1.6%, 1.3% and 1.0% of total admissions in 2008, 2002 and 1994 respectively. When composition of PN was compared in the first day we found significant differences in energy and lipids; but not in volume, carbohydrate, or amino acid composition. Gastrointestinal surgery was the most common indication. Mean length was 11.0 ± 9.8 days (2008) to 15.2 ± 14.8 (1994) (p < 0.05). Complications were present in 24.8 patients (2008), 10.8% (2002) and 16.9 (1994).
Conclusions: PN use increased along the study period, although mean length decreased. There were more complications in 2008 than in previous years.