Efficacy of long-term quasi-total parenteral nutrition in a young man with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy

The weight of a 26-year-old man with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy fell in one year from over 23.8 kg to 22.5 kg, in connection with a worsening of his dysphagia to solid foods over the last six months. He was consuming 500 to 600 kcal/day and 150 to 200ml of water.

  • He was put on total parenteral nutrition with 986ml/day of Smokfkabiven® combined with enteral nutrition based on natural foods for less than 200 kcal/day.
  • Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was maintained during the month he was in hospital, after which his general condition improved, enabling him to return home on NIV and enteral nutrition.
  • Within a year, his weight had risen to 31kg and remained stable, even though he had been on this diet for six years, with good psychological and biological tolerance.
  • During this period, the superior vena cava catheter was replaced twice: the first time because it appeared blocked, and the second time because it had been accidentally withdrawn during dressing.

 

Effect of nutritional therapy in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy: a case report. Valoriani F, Pinelli G, Gabriele S et al. Front Nutr. 2024 Apr 29;11:1343548.