Use of Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) is a form of supplemental nutrition used to treat patients with malnutrition who receive hemodialysis. Once the diagnosis of malnutrition is made in such patients, encouragement of oral intake is the first-line treatment. If this fails, then enteral or parenteral nutrition may be needed. This review examines the literature on the use of IDPN and summarizes the current recommendations. There is considerable controversy over indications and benefits of IDPN, and well-controlled, long-term studies are needed to help tease out these issues. In the interim, clinical judgment should be used when considering IDPN for individual patients.