Peripheral parenteral nutrition is limited to what maximum osmolarity?

Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) is designed to provide nutritional support through the peripheral veins, and it is important to adhere to specific osmolarity limits to prevent complications such as thrombophlebitis or vein irritation. The maximum osmolarity for PPN is generally capped at 900 mOsm/L.

This limit is set because concentrations higher than this can cause significant discomfort and vascular complications as the higher osmotic pressure can damage endothelial cells of the veins and lead to inflammation. Additionally, higher osmolarity solutions can also result in difficult infusion and potential for phlebitis, making the safety profile of PPN critical especially in pediatric patients where vein integrity is vital. Therefore, maintaining an osmolarity at or below 900 mOsm/L ensures that the solution is more compatible for administration through peripheral veins, aligning with clinical safety standards.