Recent publications related to pediatric nutrition support:

Barron MA, Makhija M, Hagen LE, Pencharz P, Grunebaum E, Roifman CM. Increased resting energy expenditure is associated with failure to thrive in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency. Journal of Pediatrics. 2011;159:628-632.

Bonsante F, Iacobelli S, Chantegret C, Martin D, Gouyon JB. The effect of parenteral nitrogen and energy intake on electrolyte balance in the preterm infant. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011;65:1088-1093.

One of the great privileges of Clinical Nutrition Week (CNW) this year was listening to Dr. Michael Casaer present the results of the EPaNIC study, a ground breaking study looking to finally address the question that have differentiated nutrition practice in Europe and America: Should TPN used early in the ICU to supplement enteral feeding if the patient has not reached majority of the caloric goal? (1) Dr. Casaer presented the results of the study early in the conference, reviewing results included in the final paper and additional supplemental materials that can be found through the New England Journal of Medicine website.

Yesterday, U.S. Representatives John Carney (D-DE) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN) introduced the Drug Shortage Prevention Act to address the scarcity of certain pharmaceutical drugs-and those specific to parenteral nutrition---in the marketplace.

Do You Need Money for Your Continuing Education Needs?   Have you been a member of DNS for at least 2 years?   Apply by April 1st for your chance to receive travel funding for upcoming nutrition support conferences.  Research abstracts for the 2012 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 6-9, 2012 are due February 23, 2012.   Plan ahead and get your funding in line today!

Professional Leadership - Volunteers Wanted for Committees in the Academy

 Medical City Dallas Hospital conducted a pilot study to test the hypothesis that an intensive education program would improve patient compliance and post-transplant outcomes compared to standard care received (printed material given to patients). Oftentimes, patients do not receive adequate education prior to surgery about the life-changing operation they are to undergo. Patients who participated in the intensive, 16-week education program scored better on coping tests, were more physically active and had better knowledge of nutrition than their counterparts who did not participate in the intensive education program.

Williams RV, Zak V, Ravishankar C,et al. Factors affecting growth in infants with single ventricle physiology: a report from the Pediatric Heart Network Infant Single Ventricle Trial.
J Pediatr. 2011 Dec;159(6):1017-22.e2.

Polk and Schwab recently published an excellent article about enterocutaneous and enteroatmospheric fistulas in the October 2011 issue of the World Journal of Surgery. Their article is titled "Metabolic and nutritional support of the enterocutaneous fistula patient: a three-phase approach." They address the history and current management patients with fistulas with a focus on the nutritional management. By breaking down the management of these patients into three phases, they add clarity to a complex clinical scenario. The three phases are: Phase 1 - Diagnosis, resuscitation, and early interval nutrition; Phase 2 - Definition of anatomy, drainage, nutritional assessment and monitoring and feeding access; and Phase 3 Definitive nutritional management.