Intradialytic parenteral nutrition in malnourished hemodialysis patients. Review of the literature.

Malnutrition is a frequent problem of patients on intermittent hemodialysis and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN), i.e. intravenous supplementation of mixtures of glucose, amino acids and/or lipids during the hemodialysis session, is one of the therapeutic measures that are applied to correct this malnutrition. To our knowledge only few long-term clinical studies have been undertaken, evaluating the effect of intravenous calorie administration in hemodialysis. Most studies were carried out over a relatively short observation period in small study populations; in several of these studies, no measures were taken to prevent losses of nutrients in the dialysate; adequate control groups are often missing. The authors review the current available literature and conclude that IDPN might have a significant beneficial effect on the nutritional status in malnourished hemodialysis populations.