When Your Child Needs Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Read on to learn about giving your child liquid food through total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a way for your child to get correct nutrition. This is done using a small, soft tube called a catheter . The catheter is put into a vein. This allows liquid nutrition to be put into your child’s blood vessels.
Why is TPN needed?
TPN is used when your child’s digestive tract can’t digest food. Or when your child can’t eat enough food to meet his or her nutritional needs. The catheter is put into the vein in the hospital. Then you can give TPN to your child at home. A home care nurse can teach you how. You’ll also learn how to clean and care for the catheter site.
Types of TPN lines
There are 2 main types of TPN lines used to give nutrition through the catheter:
Central line. This kind of line is often used for babies and very young children. The catheter is placed into a vein in the neck or chest. This allows nutrients to be delivered close to the large blood vessels of the heart. The catheter has openings (ports) to give nutrition and medicines as needed.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line. This type of line is often placed into a vein in your child’s arm. The line is gently threaded through the vein up to the heart.
When to call the healthcare provider
Call the healthcare provider right away if your child has any of these:
Tubing that splits or leaks, or that comes out part way or all the way
Fluid leaking from the catheter insertion site
Fever over
100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher, or as directed by the providerTrouble breathing
Vomiting
Skin or whites of eyes that turn yellow (jaundice)
Bulging of skin around catheter site
Bleeding around catheter site
Skin pulling away from catheter site
Pain, redness, swelling, or warmth at catheter site
Swelling of the hand, arm, back, or torso
Blocked tubing