[Home parenteral nutrition in children: practical modalities].

Today, the duration of parenteral nutrition (PN) is unlimited. PN is used in digestive tract chronic disease (the digestive tract is either unusable or is at rest) or in oncology, hematology and renutrition before transplantation. Thanks to technical advances, PN, although sophisticated, may be applied at home if an active involvement of one parent is obtained. Home PN is indicated when it is planned for more than 3 months. The indications as a function of the disease, socio-cultural background and the distance to the PN centre are reviewed. The technical modalities such as vascular access, the choice of a catheter, the nutriments to be perfused, the parents' training and the logistic support are studied. Complications of home PN are identical to those of prolonged PN; infections is the most frequent. Results of PN as well as the quality of life of the children are briefly reported.