Abstract
Home parenteral nutrition (Home PN) is the best alternative to prolonged hospitalisation and the best option for improving the quality of life of children dependent on long-term PN. Furthermore, Home PN is associated with lower risks of complications such as catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) and overall cost.
Therefore, Home PN should be considered for any child who is clinically stable and expected to remain dependent on PN for at least three more months. Over the last decade, Home PN has increased rapidly due to improvement in survival with better quality of care of surgical treatment, of neonatal care, of daily catheter care and also of the composition of PN.
Reported prevalence varies across studies ranging from 9.6 children per million in the Netherlands to 13.7 children per million in the U.K. In this chapter, we will discuss indications, organisational aspects, requirements, follow-up, complications, quality of life and long-term outcome of Home PN.