Area of uncertainty | Potential study |
---|---|
Safe limits for starting amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid supply | RCT with long-term follow-up into infancy |
Formulations and intakes that improve neurodevelopmental outcome | RCT with head growth data, MRI assessment and/or developmental outcome in infancy and early childhood |
Formulations and intakes that improve neurocognitive outcome but minimise metabolic harm | RCT with long-term follow-up into later life including detailed neurocognitive and metabolic assessment |
Optimal monitoring regimen to determine tolerance and safety | Observational studies matched with long-term outcome using collaborative databases |
Optimal composition for range of standard neonatal PN bags | Standardisation across clinical networks combined with collaborative audit |
PN, parenteral nutrition, RCT, randomised controlled trial.