The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) has redefined pediatric malnutrition to include five domains: anthropometrics, growth, chronicity, etiology, and impact on functional status. This revised definition aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition in pediatric patients.
A new study suggests that exogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) treatment can improve the excretion of toxic bile acids and stimulate liver growth in neonatal pigs with parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. This finding supports a beneficial role for GLP-2 as a novel therapy in PNALD.
A new study found evidence of activity in response and disease stabilization rates, reduction in liver metastasis volume, and improved quality of life scores in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with omega-3 fatty acids. The results suggest potential benefits of combining omega-3 fatty acids with chemotherapy agents.
A new review published in Nutrition in Clinical Practice found that accurate malnutrition diagnosis and coding can increase hospital payments. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends a valid program to identify, document, intervene, and code malnutrition to enhance financial stability and clinical resources.
A new review in Nutrition in Clinical Practice outlines main principles of chronic nutrition management of inherited metabolic disorders, highlighting failure to follow specific dietary treatment can lead to complications and death. Registered dietitians play a crucial role in the multi-disciplinary team delivering care to these patients.
A systematic review suggests that Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation can reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and facilitate enteral nutrition in premature infants. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A new clinical trial found that more than 10% of patients still had low levels of vitamin D at discharge, with levels worsening at the one-year follow-up exam. Vitamin D3 supplementation showed promise in addressing deficiency problems and their associated health risks.
A new study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition found that intravenous glutamine administration immediately after lower limb ischemia reduced inflammatory reactions locally and systemically. The study showed that GLN decreased gene expressions of inflammatory mediators, blood macrophage percentages, and plasma ...
A new study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition found that credentialed providers have a significantly higher understanding of nutrition support practice. The study's results showed that credentialed providers answered 6.18 out of 8 questions correctly, compared to non-credentialed providers who answered 4.56 q...
A new study published in JPEN found that using peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) for one additional infusion day per week significantly reduced the time before a first bloodstream infection. In contrast, managing tunneled vascular access devices by home care nurses increased the mean incidence of such infections.
Dr. Yeh's research found inadequate macronutrient delivery associated with lower discharge rates to home, highlighting the need for improved nutritional therapy in ICU patients. The study contributes to a growing understanding of the importance of nutrition in critical care outcomes.
Dr. David Lim's research advances the science of parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants, finding that GLP-2 therapy improves bile flow and serum markers of cholestasis. The study also reveals alterations in FXR signaling and key bile acid transporters with GLP-2 treatment.
A study by Ivy Haskins at GWU Medical Center investigated the effectiveness of volume-based enteral nutrition support regimens compared to hourly rate-based protocols. The results found that VB protocols provide a significantly greater provision of prescribed calories but may not improve clinical outcomes.
David Lim's research on parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants has provided insight into the effects of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) therapy, improving bile flow and serum markers of cholestasis. The study suggests that GLP-2 treatment alters bile acid metabolic pathways, which are beneficial in PNALD.
Marialena Mouzaki's research on pediatric end-stage liver disease found that predictive equations underestimate energy requirements, leading to inadequate calorie provision. Indirect calorimetry should be used to ensure proper nutritional care for this vulnerable population.
Research by Michele Nicolo found that achieving at least 80% protein goal may be important to survival and shorten hospital stay in critically ill patients. The study's findings suggest efforts to maximize protein intake should be prioritized over optimizing energy intake.
A new cohort study found that low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are inversely associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in critically ill surgical patients. The study suggests that optimized vitamin D status may reduce respiratory muscle weakness and systemic inflammation, leading to shorter respiratory support times.
The A.S.P.E.N. Rhoads Research Foundation is awarding nearly $130,000 to seven investigators conducting promising research in clinical nutrition and metabolism. The grants will support projects on beta-Hydroxy-Methyl-Butyrate (HMB) and novel interventions for parenteral nutrition-related pathologies.
A recent study published in JPEN found that premature infants who received sodium supplementation gained weight faster, had lower rates of hyponatremia, and no increased risk of prematurity-related morbidities. The researchers recommend further studies to determine the optimal dose and duration of sodium therapy.
A standardized slow enteral feeding protocol significantly reduces necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and accompanying death in infants with extremely low birth weight. Infants on the slower protocol showed comparable weight gain, head growth, and NICU stay without increased mortality.
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends withholding or withdrawing gastrostomy tubes in patients with advanced dementia. Current scientific evidence suggests that tube feeding does not improve outcomes in this population, instead leading to high mortality rates.
A quality improvement audit found that a volume-based system increased EN volume intake, calories, and protein delivery in mechanically ventilated ICU patients, improving nutrition outcomes.
The new connectors are designed by an international standards process, reducing misconnection risks that can be fatal to patients. They will greatly reduce the occurrence of misconnections and ensure safer delivery of fluids, medications, or nutrition formulas.
A new hospital screening tool, Pediatric Nutrition Screening Tool (PNST), has been found to be effective in identifying children at nutritional risk. The PNST identified 37.6% of patients as being at nutritional risk, compared to 34.2% with the existing pediatric Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment (SGNA).
A systematic review of studies found no significant benefits from combining different oils in lipid emulsions. Combination emulsions are a safe alternative to soybean-based emulsions, but further research is needed to confirm their superiority.
Malnutrition is a significant problem in older adults due to chronic health conditions affecting dietary intake. A comprehensive geriatric analysis (CGA) includes nutrition screenings to address potential problems, emphasizing the importance of timely interventions involving healthcare providers.
Pediatric patients with intestinal failure often need gastrostomy tubes for long-term nutrition. Researchers found that prolonged tube use is associated with an increased risk of persistent fistulas. Early intervention may be necessary to prevent complications.
A new study finds that hospitals are complying with nutrition screening mandates, but need to improve follow-up assessments and diagnosis of malnutrition. The lack of clinician participation and inadequate training in caregivers hinder the effective treatment of malnutrition in patients.
The study recommends that HPEN consumers develop an emergency kit, including a basic emergency kit and an HPEN emergency kit, as well as contact lists for family, friends, physicians, and pharmacy providers. Homecare providers are advised to focus on consumer safety, minimizing service interruptions, and developing contingency plans.
Researchers recommend considering additional factors that can affect microbial growth apart from lipids in parenteral nutrition. These factors include glucose concentration, proportion of glucose to lipid, and osmolarity.
A survey of Canadian physicians reveals a significant gap between optimal practices for detecting and treating malnutrition in hospitalized patients. The study found that actual assessments completed were much lower than reported, with only 33% of patients being weighed upon admission.
Improper placement of nasogastric feeding tubes can have serious and potentially fatal consequences in pediatric patients. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends universal best practices, including standard approach to bedside verification, to improve patient safety.
Research published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition found that patients who received glutamine supplements had a significantly higher mortality rate than those who did not. The study involved over 1,200 patients across 40 ICUs in North America and Europe.
A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Guidelines developed recommendations for the care of pediatric patients with intestinal failure at risk of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, while a prospective observational study found that feeding interruptions led to negative outcomes in critically ill patients. Intensive nutrition therapy also show...