Is parenteral nutrition guilty?

Abstract

“Death by parenteral nutrition” was the title of the controversial editorial published in the June issue of Intensive Care Medicine by P.E. Marik and M. Pinsky [1]. One might believe that a real event was being described by the authors. Imagine our astonishment, which quickly turned to dismay, when we read the words: “… a poison or toxin is a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures or impairs an organism… and by this definition TPN meets all criteria of a poison/toxin, in the critically ill patient receiving parenteral nutrition.” We are surprised and perturbed that the authors have missed some important issues regarding the nutrition of patients in intensive care units (ICUs), exchanging sensationalism for sound scientific discussion.