X
Notice: You have clicked on a link which leaves Fresenius Kabi’s website and you will be redirected to a third-party website. Fresenius Kabi makes no representations nor has any supervision or control over the quality, content, reliability, or security of the third-party website, nor shall Fresenius Kabi be liable for its use.
Continue Cancel

Who needs parenteral nutrition (PN)?

When people cannot meet their nutritional needs by mouth or through a feeding tube, PN delivers essential nutrients—amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and more—directly into the bloodstream. By bypassing the gut, patients of all ages—from newborns to adults—get the nutrition they need when they need it.1

Intestine icon with exclamation mark

Critically ill patients can experience2,3:

  • Diseases or conditions that impair the bowel’s ability to process food
  • Decreased intestinal function or severe illness requiring intensive care
  • Conditions associated with increased nutrient needs that cannot be met via the oral or feeding tube route (i.e., burns)

Icon of intestine with magnifying glass

Chronically ill patients can experience2:

  • Long-term or permanent interruptions to normal bowel function
  • Conditions such as:
    •  Cancer
    •  Crohn’s disease
    •  Short bowel syndrome
    •  Ischemic bowel disease
    •  Abnormal bowel function

Most lipid-based PN products provide essential fatty acids (EFAs), one of the major nutritional components. Lipid sources used in PN include one, two, or all of the following4:

  • Soybean oil
  • Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
  • Olive oil
  • Fish oil

Where and how is PN delivered?

PN is considered a major medical advancement of the 20th century and has been a lifesaving therapy for patients who could not otherwise be nourished.5 PN can be administered in the hospital, long-term care facilities, or at home, depending on the patient’s needs. Many patients continue receiving PN after being discharged from the hospital, supported by specialized care teams.

Central venous delivery1: Highly concentrated PN solutions are typically delivered via a central line that ends in the superior vena cava (SVC) or inferior vena cava (IVC), making it suitable for long-term use.

Peripheral venous delivery1: For shorter durations, PN may be administered through peripheral veins in the hand or forearm. This option provides flexibility for temporary needs while helping to ensure effective nutrition delivery.

Resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals

American Society of Health-
System Pharmacists (ASHP)

Improving patient outcomes
through safe and effective
medication use.

Visit

American Society for
Parenteral and Enteral
Nutrition (ASPEN)

Leading the science and practice
of clinical nutrition.

Visit

Dietitians in Nutrition Support
(DNS)

Equipping members with the tools
and resources needed to optimize
clinical outcomes for individuals
receiving nutrition support
therapy.

Visit

Home Parenteral Nutrition
Awareness Week

Typically held in October, this
annual campaign seeks to
increase awareness of those living
on PN.

Visit

North American
Society for Pediatric
Gastroenterology, Hepatology
& Nutrition (NASPGHAN)

Advancing the understanding of
diseases of the gastrointestinal
tract and liver in children.

Visit

Necrotizing Enterocolitis
(NEC) Society

Dedicated to building a world
without NEC through research,
advocacy, and education.

Visit

National Home Infusion
Association (NHIA)

Providing solutions for the home
and specialty infusion therapy
communities.

Visit

Oley Foundation

Striving to enrich the lives of
those living with home
intravenous nutrition and tube
feeding through education,
advocacy, and networking.

Visit

Society of Critical Care
Medicine (SCCM)

Largest nonprofit medical
organization dedicated to
promoting excellence and
consistency in the practice of
critical care.

Visit

Bringing more options to PN

Fresenius Kabi offers more choices to nourish critically or chronically ill patients—from hospital to home.


Preview of the Products page

Discover more

See what goes into PN products


Preview of the video with play icon

Watch video

If you still can't find what you're looking for regarding our PN products or Fresenius Kabi Nutrition, let us know and we can help.

Contact us

References: 1. What is parenteral nutrition?. ASPEN website. Accessed March 4, 2025. https://nutritioncare.org/about/what-we-do/nutrition-support/what-is-parenteral-nutrition/ 2. Worthington P, Balint J, Bechtold M, et al. When Is Parenteral Nutrition Appropriate?. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2017;41(3):324-377. 3. Rodriguez NA, Jeschke MG, Williams FN, Kamolz LP, Herndon DN. Nutrition in burns: Galveston contributions. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2011;35(6):704-714. 4. Calder PC, Waitzberg DL, Klek S, Martindale RG. Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition: Biological Aspects. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2020;44 Suppl 1:S21-S27. 5. ASPEN Parenteral Nutrition Handbook, Third Edition, Editors: Phil Ayers, PharmD, BCNSP, FASHP; Elizabeth S. Bobo, CNSC, MS, RDN, LDN; Ryan T. Hurt, MD, PhD; Andrew A. Mays, PharmD, BCNSP, CNSC; Patricia H. Worthington, MSN, RN, CNSC. Chapter 2, pg. 25.