Prevention Of Parenteral Nutrition-associated Liver Disease Research Articles

PNALD related to the type of initial intravenous lipid emulsion in preterm infants: LCT/MCT vs. SMOF lipid

Rationale: Peterm infants often have long-term parenteral nutrition (PN), so they are vulnerable to parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD). The present study was aimed to verify benefits of fish oil-based lipid emulsions in prevention of PNALD.

Lipid management in pediatric intestinal failure.

Lipids are a crucial component in parenteral nutrition but their prolonged use can be associated with parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD), which may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current state of lipid management in pediatric intestinal failure, especially as it relates to the prevention of PNALD. Lipid restriction has emerged as a successful strategy in both the treatment and prevention of PNALD in parenteral nutrition-dependent children. There is concern, however, that lipid restriction can lead to essential fatty acid deficiency. This, in turn, may affect neurodevelopmental outcomes. A wide variety of lipid emulsion formulations is available throughout the world although only one, a soybean-based product, is Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in the pediatric population. To date, there are no definitive data favoring one lipid emulsion composition over another. Pediatric intestinal failure patients are at high risk for the development of PNALD. Although this may be managed, and even prevented, with lipid restrictive strategies, the development of essential fatty acid deficiency in this setting remains a concern. Further studies are needed to determine the ideal lipid emulsion and dose to be used in parenteral nutrition-dependent children.

Fish oil-based lipid emulsion in the treatment of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease

Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the parenteral nutrition-dependent population. Here, we review the most recent literature involving a fish oil-based lipid emulsion (FOLE) and its effects on PNALD. Vegetable oil-based lipid emulsions (VBLEs) contribute to PNALD. This may be due to parenteral phytosterols and/or the presence of pro-inflammatory mediators. Whereas a small reduction in the dose of VBLE does not appear to prevent PNALD, a significant reduction in the dose may reverse PNALD; however, it carries the risk of essential fatty acid deficiency. Furthermore, the impact of extreme lipid restriction on subsequent neurodevelopment is unknown. Combination lipid emulsions containing fish oil are associated with decreased bilirubin levels, though no studies compare these emulsions with the outcomes with FOLE alone. The utility of FOLE in the reversal of PNALD has been demonstrated and its administration does not lead to essential fatty acid deficiency. Furthermore, there is evidence that FOLE may prevent PNALD. FOLE appears to be an efficacious treatment to reverse PNALD. However, more studies are necessary to determine if FOLE might also be beneficial in the prevention of PNALD. Future studies should additionally focus on the preterm infant population, as they represent a major population requiring parenteral nutrition support for survival.

Fish Oil–Based Lipid Emulsions Prevent and Reverse Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Liver Disease: The Boston Experience

Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) is the most prevalent and most severe complication of long-term parenteral nutrition. Its underlying pathophysiology, however, largely remains to be elucidated. The currently approved parenteral lipid emulsions in the United States contain safflower or soybean oils, both rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Mounting evidence indicates that the omega-6 PUFAs originating from plant oils in these lipid emulsions may play a role in the onset of liver injury. Fish oil-based lipid emulsions, in contrast, are primarily composed of omega-3 PUFAs, thus providing a promising alternative. The authors review the literature on the role of lipid emulsions in the onset of PNALD and discuss prevention and treatment strategies using a fish oil-based lipid emulsion. They conclude that a fish oil-based emulsion is hepatoprotective in a murine model of PNALD, and it appears to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of this type of liver disease in children. A prospective randomized trial that is currently under way at the authors' institution will objectively determine the place of fish oil monotherapy in the prevention of PNALD.