Abstract Objective: The use of parenteral nutrition (PN) formulations that do not contain iodine can contribute to the deficiency of this mineral, potentially leading to hypothyroidism and, ultimately, neurocognitive impairments. This study aimed to evaluate TSH alterations in newborns receiving PN. Methods: Retrospective study of neonatal intensive care unit patients receiving PN for > 15 days. Nutritional, anthropometric, and biochemical variables (TSH, T4, CRP) were analyzed. Hypothyroidism was defined by TSH > 10 mU/L. Results: Two hundred newborns were evaluated [156 (78%) preterm, 31±5 weeks of gestational age, 112 (56%) with very or extremely low birth weight]. The median (IQR) hospital stay was 68 (42-110) days, PN duration was 31 (21-47) days, and 188 (94%) patients also received enteral nutrition. Overall, 143 (71.5%) newborns underwent at least one TSH measurement. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 10.5%. The Median PN duration in this group was 51 (34-109) days. Among those with hypothyroidism, 10 received Lugol’s solution and six levothyroxine. Thirteen patients received prophylactic Lugol’s solution with a median PN duration of 63 (48-197) days. TSH levels correlated positively with PN duration (r = 0.19, p = .02). Conclusions: The present data suggest that changes in TSH and T4 levels are present in neonates receiving PN for > 15 days, suggesting this population may be at risk for developing hypothyroid-ism. Therefore, the authors suggest that TSH and T4 measurements should be included as routine in neonatal patients receiving PN for > 15 days if PN formulations are not supplemented with iodine, and that iodine supplementation be provided as necessary.

Abstract Introduction: accidental dislodgement of enteral feeding tubes has been considered as an important quality indicator of the efficacy of enteral nutrition therapy. However, in clinical practice, the use of feeding tube attachment devices (FTADs), as an alternative to the traditional method of adhesive tape alone, has not yet been evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing inadvertent tube dislodgement. Objective: to evaluate the impact of using a dedicated FTAD compared with the traditional securing method with adhesive tape on the occurrence of accidental enteral feeding tube removal. Methods: a randomized clinical trial comparing two strategies for enteral feeding tube securement: use of traditional adhesive tape vs FTAD. The primary endpoint was the percentage of accidental enteral feeding tube dislodgement after randomization. Results: a total of 104 inpatients (mean age: 61.4 ± 17.5 years) were included (52 patients per group). Most were women with cerebrovascular disease (35.6%), diabetes (28.8%) and neoplasia (27.9%). There were 39 (37.5%) cases of accidental tube removal, 30.8% in the FTAD group and 44.2% in the adhesive tape group (p = 0.22). During follow-up, patients in the FTAD group received a mean of 60.0% of the volume of enteral nutrition prescribed, while patients in the adhesive tape group received 57.0% (p = 0.61). There was no difference in skin lesions between the groups. Conclusion: the strategy of using a dedicated FTAD as the method for securing enteral feeding tubes did not reduce the risk of accidental tube dislodgement compared with the traditional securing method with adhesive tape.

Resumen Introducción: la expulsión accidental de sondas de alimentación enteral se ha considerado un indicador importante de la calidad de la eficacia de la terapia de nutrición enteral. Sin embargo, en la práctica clínica, el uso de dispositivos de fijación de tubos de alimentación (FTAD, por sus siglas en inglés), como una alternativa al método tradicional de cinta adhesiva exclusivamente, aún no se ha evaluado por su eficacia para reducir el desprendimiento accidental de sondas. Objetivo: evaluar el impacto de usar un FTAD dedicado en comparación con el método tradicional de aseguramiento con cinta adhesiva en caso de que se produzca una extracción accidental de la sonda de alimentación enteral. Métodos: se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado que comparó dos estrategias para asegurar la sonda de alimentación enteral: el uso de cinta adhesiva tradicional frente a FTAD. El punto final primario fue el porcentaje de desplazamiento accidental del tubo de alimentación enteral después de la aleatorización. Resultados: se incluyó un total de 104 pacientes hospitalizados (edad media 61,4 ± 17,5 años) (52 pacientes por grupo). La mayoría eran mujeres con enfermedad cerebrovascular (35,6%), diabetes (28,8%) y neoplasia (27,9%). Hubo 39 casos (37.5%) de extracción accidental de tubos, 30,8% en el grupo FTAD y 44,2% en el grupo de cinta adhesiva (p = 0,22). Durante el seguimiento, los pacientes del grupo FTAD recibieron una media del 60,0% del volumen de nutrición enteral prescrito, mientras que los pacientes del grupo de cinta adhesiva recibieron el 57,0% (p = 0,61). No hubo diferencia en las lesiones de la piel entre los grupos. Conclusión: la estrategia de utilizar un FTAD dedicado como método para asegurar las sondas de alimentación enteral no redujo el riesgo de retiradas accidentales en comparación con el método tradicional de sujeción con cinta adhesiva.

BACKGROUND: The development of nutrition care programs for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is necessity in view of the rapid and aggressive consequences frequently seen with this procedure. Patients require constant care to reduce complications and to contribute to the success of therapy. METHODS: In an attempt to ascertain the impact of systematic nutritional care on patients submitted to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the present study assessed the nutritional and clinical status, use of parenteral nutrition, and complication and mortality rates in two groups of patients, who were submitted to transplantation between April 2003 and December 2004 (Non-intervention Group - NIG; n = 57) and between March 2006 and January 2008 (Intervention Group - IG; n = 34). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in terms of clinical or nutritional profiles. Additionally, the length of hospital stay and complication and mortality rates were similar for both groups. However, time on parenteral nutrition during treatment was shorter for the IG [median 6.5 days (range: 1-28) for related donor recipients and 11 days (range: 1-21) for unrelated donor recipients] than for the NIG [median 20.5 days (range, 4-73) for patients submitted to myeloablative conditioning and 18.5 days (range: 11-59 days) for those submitted to nonablative conditioning]. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a nutritional follow-up and therapy protocol for adult patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation shortens the duration of parenteral nutrition. It certainly has an impact on hospitalization costs and, potentially, on the rate of complications, even though this was not demonstrated in this study.