Parenteral nutrition, or intravenous (IV) feeding, is a way to deliver nutrition into your body through your veins. This form of nutrition can help people who can’t get their core nutrients from food.

Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients such as sugar, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, electrolytes, and trace elements to the body. These nutrients are vital in maintaining high energy, hydration, and strength levels. Some people only need to get certain types of nutrients intravenously.

Doctors often use parenteral nutrition for people with:

It also can help if you have a condition that results from low blood flow to your bowels.

People may experience unusual changes in the skin and metabolism. Issues related to the veins are also common.

Side effectsTrusted Source of parenteral nutrition may include:

  • skin infection
  • bloodstream infection
  • low blood sugar
  • high blood sugar
  • memory loss
  • a collapsed lung

Speak with your doctor if you experience any side effects that don’t go away.

You can speak with your healthcare professional about your exact nutritional requirements. A doctor will prescribe the appropriate liquid to fulfill these needs. You’ll most likely store the liquid in a refrigerator or freezer, and complete IV feedings yourself at home.

You need to remove each dose from the fridge at least 2 hours before use. This allows enough time for the liquid to reach room temperature. For any frozen packets, move these from the freezer to the refrigerator 24 hours before use to thaw.

Parenteral nutrition involves administeringTrusted Source nutrients to your bloodstream via tubing attached to a needle or catheter. Depending on the vein, medical professionals often refer to this procedure as total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN).

With TPN, a healthcare professional places the catheter in a large vein called the superior vena cava, which goes to your heart. The healthcare professional may also place a port, such as a needleless access port, which makes IV feeding easier.

For temporary nutritional needs, your doctor may suggest PPN. This type of IV feeding uses a regular peripheral IV line instead of a central line threaded into your superior vena cava.

A healthcare professional will provide detailed instructions for this procedure. In general, you first need to check your nutrient bags for floating particles and discoloration. Then, you insert tubing into the bag and attach the tubing to your IV catheter or port as designated by your healthcare professional.

You will need to leave the bag and tubing in place for most or all of the day. Afterward, you remove the nutrient bag and tubing.

It usually takes 10 to 18 hours, and you’ll repeat this procedure multiple times a week.

A common risk of using parenteral nutrition is developing a catheter infection. Other risks includeTrusted Source:

It’s essential to maintain clean tubing, needleless access ports, catheters, and other equipment to help minimize these risks.

Many people experience some improvement in their condition after parenteral nutrition. Although your symptoms may not resolve, your body may be able to heal more quickly. You’ll likely feel stronger and more energized, which can help you do more despite the effects of your condition.

A physician or dietitian will reassess your nutritional needs after several weeks to check whether they need to adjust the dosage. This may involve some tests.

Parenteral nutrition helps maintain health and energy levels by delivering nutrients intravenously. You can administer liquids prescribed by your doctor at home. It’s important to store nutrient bags in the refrigerator or freezer.

Parenteral nutrition can cause changes in the skin and may also affect your metabolism. Speak with a doctor if you have any persistent side effects.

You may need this treatment temporarily or for life, and your nutritional needs may also change with time.