Intermittent intussusception as a cause of abdominal pain in children

Background: Parenteral and enteral nutrition are standard procedures in the care of patients unable to face nutritional requirements by the oral route.Although electrolyte composition of nutritional products is based on recommendations of national nutritional societies, the frequency of electrolyte abnormalities in the long-term is not known.Methods: A historical analysis was performed, using the charts of our nutritional support team.Inclusion criteria were availability of at least one electrolyte (Na, K, Ca, ChI) control before, and after onset of nutritional therapy, which had to last more than 2 weeks.If available, creatinine, urea-nitrogen, albumin and blood count were documented, as well as intensity and duration of nutrition and property of underlying disease.Results: From 1983 to 1994, 1651 patients were cared for.361 patients met the inclusion criteria (65 parenteral, 296 enteral).Mean duration of nutritional support was longer in the enteral group (2-208; mean: 50 weeks for enteral; 2-232; mean: 32 weeks for