| Abstract | The formulation and elaboration of a correct parenteral nutrition (PN) in
infancy requires the use of many parameters, the realization of complicated
mathematical calculations, and repeated and individualized adjustments of the
final constituents. The use of computer programs in the confection of PN has
simplified the whole process, but, to our understanding, the programs being
used at the moment lack the flexibility needed to generalize its use in the
pediatric age. The aim of this work is to present a new computer program able
to make up complete pediatric units of PN by itself, which follow the
nutritional requirements and the marketed preparations established for each
clinical situation. The program provides, automatically, standard amounts for
each nutrient, according to age, water needs, and route of administration. The
program turns these amounts, which can be modified before or after knowing the
final composition, into milliliters of each commercial product and provides a
complete analysis of the PN solution. It is also possible to adapt the basic
configuration of the program to the needs of each patient, modifying the
nutritional requirements and the products that the program will use. In order
to assess the validity of the program, we made up a series of PN solutions, for
a simulated sample of patients, which represented different clinical situations
and age groups. We analyzed the composition of the mixtures and its
physical-chemical stability. No problems in the PN solutions generated by the
program when using our standard configuration were found. A study of
reproducibility was carried out and no difficulties of execution, errors, or
differences in the composition of the PN solutions designed by the different
physicians were found. Average time needed for the design of a PN was less than
5 min. The use of computer programs in the design of mixtures of PN reduces
errors and time, allowing a better use of this technique of nutritional
support. |