Accidental Intravenous Administration of Semi-Elemental Formula in an Infant

Abstract

Continuous enteral nutrition (CEN) has some advantages in pediatrics when compared with total parenteral nutrition, namely, its greater feasibility and more physiologic approach to infant nutrition. The two types of nutrition are not substitutes for each other. Rather, they are complementary and can even be interassociated, thus allowing an earlier reintroduction of enteral nutrition and a decrease in the secondary effects of total parenteral nutrition.¹

Like other techniques, CEN needs special care and attention, as well as some training; to guarantee the results. Continuous-perfusion systems capable of supplying exactly programmed enteral food may be similar to those used for intravenous infusion and used for the same patient. Catheters are easy to differentiate by checking their location in the child, but if the connections between infusion syringe and catheter are wide apart and the contents appear alike (lipid solution and milk), there may be mistakes and problems.

We have recently had the apportunity to see one of these rare complications in an infant who inadvertently received, through a scalp vein, 10 mL of semi-ele mental formula, which was being delivered through continuous enteral administration.