Introduction

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is crucial to treat children that cannot be fully fed by oral or enteral route. The revised European guidelines on pediatric PN were published in 2018 by the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), the European Society of Paediatric Research (ESPR) together with the Chinese Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (CSPEN). These guidelines, updated from the previous version from 2005 (ref. 1), are a huge achievement, representing several decades of research and knowledge accumulation in pediatric PN, summarized into recommendations for practice based on the available evidence and consensus opinion to provide up-to-date evidence for health professionals working with infants, children, and adolescents receiving PN2.

While much progress has been made in the past two decades in terms of the evidence base, during the process of guideline development the multidisciplinary working party of professionals identified multiple gaps in knowledge where there was a need for additional research. Knowing where further studies are needed is important for improving neonatal and pediatric care.

Defining research priorities may serve as a common rallying point to focus resources and attract scientists and scholars into collaborative work around these research goals. In this context, the ESPR Section on Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Metabolism, on behalf of ESPEN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN, aimed to summarize research priorities in the field of pediatric PN based on the knowledge gaps identified during the generation of the recent guidelines, and highlight those which seem most important and urgent.

Methods

The revised ESPGHAN/ESPR/ESPEN/CSPEN pediatric PN guidelines consist of separate papers for energy, individual macro- and micronutrient needs, fluid requirements, venous access, organizational aspects, home PN, standardized vs. individualized PN, and safety considerations for prevention and management of complications. For each paper, the lead author or their delegate was asked to summarize current gaps in knowledge that became apparent while compiling the revised guidance, and by liaising with co-authors. Research agendas were proposed that would help address key issues on that topic, together with some brief, relevant background information and/or justification for the research priorities identified. Two authors (M.J. and M.S.P.) then collated all the responses into a list of all research priorities identified (see Supplementary file 1), which was circulated to all lead authors of the original guidance for comment before being finalized.

Next, given that the original 2018 PN guideline authors identified multiple research gaps, we aimed to rank them in order of importance. An electronic survey was then performed through the online tool Limesurvey v 3.2 (LimeSurvey GmbH Survey Services and Consulting, Hamburg, Germany) between April 2020 and May 2020. A unique link to the questionnaire was sent to the 47 members of the ESPGHAN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN Working Group on Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition (who were all involved in drafting the guidelines) and to the 41 members of the ESPR section on Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Metabolism (11 of whom were involved in the drafting the guidelines, and were already included as part of the ESPGHAN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN group). All participants were therefore healthcare professionals with extensive experience in pedaitric nutrition and/or in managing PN from a wide range of European countries, Israel, and China. Non-responders received a reminder email after 2 weeks. For each topic area, clinicians and researchers working in the field were asked to choose a minimum of one and a maximum of three of the research priorities for each topic, and research priorities for each topic were then ranked based on the number of votes. To highlight the main overall priorities, respondents were asked at the end of the survey to select five of their previous choices across the survey that they felt were the most important overall across all the topics. Again, these were ranked according to the total number of votes for each priority.

Results

The initial process consultation process carried out with the original ESPGHAN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN guideline authors identified a total of 99 research priorities, 10 of which focussed specifically on the preterm infant population. The complete list of research priorities can be seen in Supplementary File 1. The initial survey for ranking the priorities was sent to 77 clinicians and researchers working in the field. Eleven responded to say that they were no longer working in the field or had a conflict of interest, leaving 66 potential respondents. There were 55 full responses and 4 partial, making an overall response rate of 89.4%. Thirty-five (59%) of respondents were male and 24 (41%) female. The resulting top five ranked priorities for each topic area following voting are shown in Table 1 (energy and macronutrients), Table 2 (fluid, electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and micronutrients), and Table 3 (venous access, complications, organizational aspects, home PN and ready to use and standardized formulations).

Table 1 Key research priorities for energy and macronutrients in pediatric parenteral nutrition.
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Table 2 Key research priorities for fluid, electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and micronutrients in pediatric parenteral nutrition.
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Table 3 Key research priorities for venous access, complications, organizational aspects, home parenteral nutrition and ready to use and standardized formulations in parenteral nutrition.
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Energy

There are still considerable gaps in knowledge regarding how energy needs differ in both different phases of critical illness (acute, stable, recovery), chronic illness, and in infants born preterm (Table 1). Acute injury, infection, or a surgical insult induce a metabolic response that is proportional to the magnitude, nature, and duration of the injury. This response is characterized by a brief hypometabolic phase followed by a hypermetabolic phase, which is catabolic in nature. The duration of this catabolic response in most critically ill children is unknown but might be short. The impact of acute and chronic illness on energy requirements in children is not well understood3. Recent work has highlighted the uncertainties around optimal energy intakes in critically ill children accounting for the endogenous production of energy in the acute phase of disease, suggesting that more work is also needed to define these for term and preterm infants4. In addition, the optimal proportions of energy delivered by carbohydrate and lipid in PN, and the optimal ratio of energy to protein remains unclear, particularly for preterm infants.

Amino acids

In preterm infants, defining optimal amino acid intake is challenging and more evidence is needed regarding the amino acid intake (and the relative amount of energy) needed for optimal metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes. No studies exist looking at protein/amino acid intake in relation to (functional) outcome in critically ill children, though several studies suggest that nitrogen balance is improved by higher amino acid intakes. However, a secondary analysis of the PEPaNIC study reported that a higher total daily amino acid intake during the first week of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay was associated with an increased likelihood of acquiring new infections, and a lower likelihood of both earlier weaning from mechanical ventilation and early live PICU discharge5. While these findings need to be interpreted with caution in light of the issues associated with such secondary analyses, coupled with the heterogeneous nature of the PEPaNIC study population, intersite differences and the impact of over- and undernutrition on outcome, the optimal timing, dose, and composition of an amino acid mixture for critically ill children remains unclear. Since high doses appear harmful during the acute phase of critical illness, further research in this area is urgently needed (see Table 1).

Lipids

Further well-designed and adequately powered studies are necessary to determine the optimal and/or maximal dose of lipid infusion and the long-term effects on morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment. In preterm infants, there is some evidence that they have lower amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) postnatally, which has been associated with increased risk of morbidities such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and adverse neurodevelopmental outcome6. New lipid emulsions specifically designed for preterm infants and containing higher amounts of DHA and AA should be developed and tested. The impact of different intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) on inflammatory states, infection risk, and pulmonary hypertension is not fully understood and more high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.

Several observational studies have reported the efficacy of pure fish oil (FO) ILE as monotherapy in the treatment of IFALD in infants and children, though from studies to date it is unclear whether reversal of cholestasis was because of decreasing lipid intake or the effect of FO itself (including the high α-tocopherol load) or a combination of each. Definitive studies in this area, particularly in relation to both the safety and efficacy of the long-term use of FO, would be beneficial7.

Carbohydrate

The relationship between hyperglycemia and lipid metabolism is not fully understood, particularly in preterm infants, and it is not clear why some preterm infants are less able to tolerate intravenous glucose while others can metabolize normal or even higher intakes without adverse effects3. Data to help determine whether insulin use or reduction in glucose intake, or a combination of both, leads to the best short- and long-term clinical outcomes in preterm infants are required (Table 1). Similarly, there are limited data on the efficiency with which glucose is utilized, together with endogenous glucose production rates, for infants and children3.

Fluid and electrolytes

There are major gaps in knowledge regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying fluid balance and distribution in critically ill children, particularly preterm and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, <1000 g) and very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants8 (Table 2). The movement of water between physical compartments in the immediate postnatal period, is also not fully understood9.

The impact of fluid therapy during the transition phase in the first few days of life is not well described, and an understanding of the fluid shifts during this period is vital to define the “optimal weight loss” and consequent fluid and electrolyte intake strategy, particularly in small for gestational age and ELBW infants10. Further work determining the optimal electrolyte to macronutrient ratios in PN for sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes is also a priority. Clinical trials to establish optimal fluid and electrolyte intake during mixed (parenteral and enteral) nutrition are also warranted, and there is interest in studying the consequences on the ratio of intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid (ECF), and its composition under the current PN recommendations.

For children and infants beyond the neonatal period, the most significant change relates to the use of isotonic fluid as an intravenous fluid for “maintenance hydration” in sick children11,12,13, especially during the first 24 h8. Fluid distribution is different depending on the osmolarity of the solution being used, with hypotonic solutions distributed in the intracellular compartment and isotonic maintenance solutions mainly remaining in the extracellular compartment14. The latter may imply a lower fluid requirement than the volumes estimated by the traditionally used Holliday-Segar formula8. An understanding of this relationship between fluid distribution and fluid requirements is currently lacking.

Calcium, phosphate, and magnesium

There is currently no practical way of monitoring bone mineral (microcrystalline apatite) accretion at the bedside, and no good surrogate marker for monitoring bone mineral accretion. Therefore, it is not currently clear what amounts and ratios of calcium, phosphate and magnesium should be provided to ensure optimal growth and bone mineralization in children, particularly in the context of preterm infants and critically ill children. The optimal phosphate intakes for both stability, and growth and bone mineralization in the context of refeeding syndrome and critical illness should also be more clearly defined by research evidence, as should the optimal plasma phosphate concentration (Table 2).

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are an important component in any PN regimen in children15, though iron is not routinely added to PN due to stability issues. Different approaches for meeting iron requirements of children on long-term PN, including assessment of stability of iron in different PN solutions and safety of different doses and different iron compounds have not been well investigated (Table 2). Studies which define requirements as well as toxicity of iodine, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and selenium at different developmental stages in relation to health outcomes would help inform practice (Table 2).

Regarding vitamins, there has been a relative paucity of new research and data in the past 30 years, and optimal doses and infusion conditions in preterms, infants, and children have not been established (Table 2). Current recommendations for vitamins doses are largely based on expert opinion and there is a pressing need for more research to establish these15, 16.

Venous access and complications

Some major clinically relevant gaps in current knowledge regarding choice of appropriate central venous catheter (CVC), selection of site, method of insertion, nursing care, handling and hygiene remain, and represent priorities for future research (Table 3). There is little evidence from clinical trials relating to optimal CVC tip position in infants and children in order to minimize risk of complications. Defining reliable radiological landmarks to enable safe positioning of the CVC tip in infants and children and determining the role of ultrasound guidance in order to prevent complications are key areas of clinical uncertainty.

Diagnosis and management of catheter related sepsis, including new methods and actions to implement measures to reduce infection risk, are also an area of growing research interest17. Studies comparing dressing methods are scarce and of poor quality, leaving uncertainties regarding the most appropriate dressing method (see Table 3).

Over 80% of venous thromboembolism in newborns and >40% in older children are associated with CVC. Establishing effective techniques for maintaining CVC patency and preventing thrombosis are the most clinically relevant knowledge gaps requiring urgent studies.

Organizational aspects of parenteral nutrition

Cyclical PN (i.e. infusion for <24 h continuously) may have physiological and psychological advantages for infants and children, though current recommendations are largely based on small studies that assessed physiological changes when cyclical PN was introduced18, 19.

There is no standard biochemical monitoring regimen for PN, and a minimum data set for stable patients at different ages should be defined in order to avoid unnecessary and expensive repeat testing. New ways of defining and assessing specific complications, such as IFALD (including liver fibrosis), need to be developed20, 21 and should include a non-invasive technique for the measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient22 and further refinement of transient elastography23.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is thought to contribute to development of IFALD but is difficult to diagnose24. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques using bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA primers25 have potential to serve as a guide for antibacterial therapy. A simple test for bacterial overgrowth is required to inform the need for interventions and their effectiveness. Similarly, there are limited data with regard to optimum feed type (in the absence of breast milk) and mode of enteral nutrition (continuous vs. bolus) for infants on PN26.

Home PN

There are still some gaps in knowledge and unanswered questions in relation to the impact of Home PN (HPN) in terms of quality of life, benefits, and costs (Table 3). There is little evidence regarding optimal weaning strategies, and the potential for standardized solutions suitable for HPN is relatively underexplored. There is emerging evidence that the use of standardized home PN solutions may be comparable to individualized solutions in terms of maintaining growth and serum biochemistry, though larger studies are needed to confirm this27. The use of strategies to reduce complications such as infection and IFALD have not been researched thoroughly in the context of HPN.

Ready-to-use standardized vs. individualized pediatric PN preparations

Large multicentre RCTs, or at least observational cohort studies based on large databases comparing the outcomes of infants and children given individually tailored PN preparations to those given standardized “ready-to use” PN solutions, would help to establish evidence-based recommendations, and more importantly specifically define the patients and conditions where individually tailored or standardized ready-to-use PN preparations are advantageous (Table 3). The other area in need for on-going research as well as industrial development is the improvement and sophistication of ready-to-use all-in-one PN preparations, alongside improved computer-based software to aid their prescription.

Overall priorities in pediatric PN

Of the 99 total research priorities identified by the original ESPGHAN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN guideline authors, 74 received at least one vote. Six received 10 or more votes and so were considered more important than others (these top six are shown in Table 4). The most important research priority was to understand the relationship between total energy intake, rapid catch-up growth, later metabolic function and neurocognitive outcomes. Research into the optimal intakes of macronutrients needed in order to achieve optimal outcomes also featured prominently. For the remainder, there were multiple topics that received totals of 9, 8, 7 votes, meaning that these top six were clearly the highest priority.

Table 4 Overall highest research priorities in pediatric parenteral nutrition.
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Discussion

This international expert consultation highlighted 99 research priorities in the field of pediatric PN. This consultation was intended to define the most urgent research studies needed to determine effective strategies in quality improvement and patient safety. To achieve this goal, we established the six most important research priorities from all topic areas based on each respondent’s top five priorities.

The most important research priority identified was gaining an understanding of the relationship between total energy intake, the potential adverse effects of rapid catch-up growth on later metabolic function and potential neurocognitive benefit for all age groups. Research into the range of intakes of macronutrients needed in order to achieve optimal outcomes also featured prominently, and in particular the ratio of energy to protein and the optimal dose and composition of amino acid mixture for optimal short- and long-term clinical outcomes. The latter is of interest as, despite the fact that inadequate protein balance and poor growth have been associated with currently available commercial mixtures of essential amino acids28 and conditionally essential amino acids29, there is little current research into modifying current commercial mixtures to try and improve outcomes, due to the complexity and expense this would involve. Of the 99 priorities identified, 15 of these related specifically to preterm infants, which means they are perhaps slightly overrepresented compared to other groups. Most of the research needs for preterm infants related to understanding basic nutrient requirements and their impact on long-term outcomes, particularly neurodevelopment.

An overarching theme across all nutrients, but macronutrients in particular, was that research into the intake required in order to achieve optimal outcomes was needed. This is a broad and challenging task. How to define and measure optimal outcomes remains a challenge in many areas of medicine, but especially so in pediatrics, given that long-term outcomes also involve optimal neurological, cognitive, and functional development and the impact of nutrition and growth in early life on the risk of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease and metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Defining which outcomes are important to clinicians, patients, families, and other stakeholders is essential, and central to this is the work of the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative30. Given the relatively small numbers of patients who receive PN, the use of registries and national databases is also needed to improve our understanding of practice and outcomes in this area. Such systems could also be used to drive larger trials using newer methodologies such as randomized point-of-care trials or registry trials as an alternative to conventional RCTs.

A limitation of the work described by this paper is that the authors and survey respondents came primarily from European countries, with some from China and Israel. The results of this work therefore reflect the priorities of those countries and are not a truly global international consensus. Furthermore, the guideline authorship group was drawn from the members of the contributing societies by volunteers and nominations, and so may reflect the priorities of those individuals to some extent, so may not be fully representative of the groups surveyed. In addition, families or patient groups drawn from those who require PN in infancy and childhood were not included. Furthermore, another potential limitation of the current approach to ranking is that it was a simple vote-based process. The intention of the paper was to collate all the research gaps that were identified as part of the process of researching and writing the 2018 ESPGHAN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN guidelines. Given that each topic area had generated multiple research gaps, we chose to use a ranking system to help readers understand the ones the guideline authors felt were most pressing. We chose to list the top six overall priorities here, as these were the only ones that received 10 or more votes and were clear separated from the others as frontrunners. For the remainder, there were multiple topics (74) that received similar, non-unique, numbers of votes, meaning it is difficult to genuinely say that any one of these priorities is particularly more important than the other. An additional potential concern is that the priorities identified may reflect the authors own research interests, rather than specific needs, though the fact that a broad range of priorities across all areas have been identified, including the top six, suggests this was ultimately not an issue.

The list of research priorities presented here suggests there is still much to do. However, much progress has been made in the past few decades and pediatric PN is now safe, effective, and a vital tool in the support of children who cannot be fed enterally. Future research seems to need to focus on optimizing the composition and administration of PN such that it confers maximal benefit. By listing and highlighting research priorities in this area, this paper acts as a focus point to galvanize the pediatric nutrition research community towards addressing these issues on a grand scale. By making substantial progress in these areas over the next years, we believe that we may promote the future health and well-being of preterm infants, neonates, or older children in need of PN.