(187) Clinical and Economical Impact of Parenteral Nutrition Among the Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A Prospective Interventional Study

Publication Number: 861

Background: During the third trimester (40 weeks of gestation), rapid growth of fetus organ system takes place. Neonates delivered before 40 weeks of gestation (preterm neonates) are susceptible to nutritional deficiencies due to sudden cessation of placental supply of nutrients. Parenteral nutrition simulates the nutritional support that they would have received if stayed in the mother’s womb for full term of gestation for optimal extrauterine growth and development.

Objectives: To assesses the clinical and economical outcomes among the neonates receiving the parenteral nutrition.

Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted in NICU of a tertiary care hospital for a duration of 4 months October 2021 to January 2022. Neonates requiring parenteral nutrition were enrolled in the study and were followed up to assess the clinical and economic impact.
Total parenteral nutrition was prepared and dispensed to all the neonates requiring the parenteral nutrition according to the neonate’s requirements.

Results: A total of 204 (38%) neonates were enrolled in the study out of 554 neonates admitted to NICU during the study period. Among the enrolled neonates, 117 (57.3%) were male in which 55 neonates (47.1%) were term neonates and 62 (52.9%) were preterm neonates. 87 (42.7%) were female neonates among them, 26(29%) were term neonates and 61(71%) were preterm neonates. Pre and post administration impacts of parenteral on serum electrolytes was monitored with baseline serum electrolytes which is the first documented laboratory value. After administration of TPN, the last measure of serum electrolyte was considered as last documented laboratory value. After administration of parenteral nutrition, there was no significant difference between pre and post estimation of serum electrolytes. Significant weight gain was observed in the preterm neonates after the administration of parenteral nutrition 2.2 ± 0.8 Kg. On an average each neonate received parenteral nutrition for 5±3 days. The average cost of parenteral nutrition is 550 rupees (INR) per day.

Conclusions: The number of days of parenteral nutrition received by the preterm neonates was higher than that of term neonates. Significant weight gain was observed in the preterm neonates after the administration of parenteral nutrition. Parenteral nutrition added additional cost on hospitalization bills but showed the significant results on neonates receiving the parenteral nutrition therapy.