Parenteral nutrition hypersensitivity

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is widely used. Although mechanical, septic, and metabolic complications are well known, hypersensitivity skin reactions are rare. We describe a 16-year-old boy with Burkitt's lymphoma who developed a urticarial skin rash when treated with TPN and vitamins. The adverse skin reaction was probably caused by the inactive component of excipient, polysorbate.