CONTINUOUS VERSUS CYCLIC PARENTERAL-NUTRITION DURING BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION - ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW-UP

The aim of this prospective, randomized clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of parenteral nutrition (PN) in adult bone marrow transpl ant (BMT) patients on a continuous (CON) versus a cyclic (CYC) regimen . Twelve patients received CON PN and 12 CYC PN. The groups were homog eneous. CON PN received 27.2 +/- 3.7 kcal/kg/day and for CYC PN 25.9 /- 4.2 kcal/kg/day (P = 0.45). The duration of PN was 20.4 +/- 7.9 day s and 27.3 +/- 13.4 days respectively (P = 0.14). There were no differ ences between initial and final body weights, either within or between groups. The initial pre-albumin levels were 16.1 +/- 7.5 mg/dl and 20 .1 +/- 4.9 mg/dl in CON PN and CYC PN, respectively (P = 0.22), and th ese were maintained throughout the study. Blood glucose levels did not differ between groups. Measures of liver function were moderately inc reased, but with no significant differences between groups. There were no significant differences regarding the efficacy of PN or the appear ance of complications between CON PN and CYC PN in patients with BMT.