Comparison of metabolic parameters between oral and total parenteral nutrition in children with severe eating disorders.

BACKGROUND This study investigated changes of lipid parameters in children with severe eating disorders during refeeding in order to explore the optimal timing for lipid preparation administration. METHODS We prospectively assessed the physical conditions of patients with eating disorders after the start of nutrition therapy. The assessments were performed at admission and at 2 and 4 weeks. Lipid metabolism was assessed based on triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and free carnitine (FC) levels, as well as acylcarnitine/free carnitine (AC/FC) ratio. RESULTS A total of 18 patients were included. Of these, 12 and 6 received an oral diet (OD group) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN group), respectively. The mean body mass indexes at hospital admission were 12.8 kg/m2 in the OD group and 12.7 kg/m2 in the TPN group. At 2 weeks after the start of refeeding, TC, TG, and AC/FC levels were significantly lower in the TPN group than in the OD group. Other blood test results did not show any significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Fat-free glucose-based nutrition promoted lipid metabolism over a 2-week period after the start of refeeding, suggesting that balanced energy and lipid intake are essential, even in TPN.