Prolonged Parenteral Nutrition Research Articles

COMPLICATIONS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PROLONGED PARENTERAL NUTRITION IN PEDIATRIC AND NEONATAL ICU PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective: The general objective of this study is to analyze the scientific literature on the complications and risks associated with prolonged parenteral nutrition in pediatric and neonatal patients in intensive care units (ICU), aiming to ensure greater knowledge about this therapeutic practice and its clinical implications. Methodology: The searches were performed through searches in the PubMed Central (PMC) databases. Three descriptors were used in combination with the Boolean term “AND”: Parenteral Nutrition, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Risk Factors. A total of 101 articles were found, which were subsequently submitted to the selection criteria. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were selected, of which 10 articles were used for detailed analysis. Results: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is essential in the care of premature newborns and critically ill pediatric patients. However, it is associated with several potential complications, including hepatobiliary, infectious, mechanical and metabolic problems such as hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Administration of PN requires careful planning and strict safety policies to minimize risks and maximize clinical benefits. Prolonged PN can lead to serious complications, such as catheter-associated bloodstream infections, cholestasis, and liver dysfunction. Conclusion: Prolonged PN in pediatric and neonatal ICU patients is associated with significant risks that require close surveillance and preventive interventions. Continuous monitoring of glucose, triglyceride levels, and liver function, as well as rigorous infection control practices, are crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of PN. Further studies are needed to identify management strategies that can reduce these complications and improve clinical outcomes.

Safety and Efficacy of a Composite Lipid Emulsion with Fish Oil in Hospitalized Neonates and Infants Requiring Prolonged Parenteral Nutrition - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Controlled Trial

BackgroundIntravenous lipids are critical to the care of extremely premature and other high-risk infants. ObjectiveThe study evaluated safety and efficacy of parenteral nutrition (PN) with composite intravenous lipid emulsion (CO-ILE) with fish oil compared to pure soybean oil lipid emulsion (SOLE). MethodsRandomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter study (NCT02579265) in neonates/ infants anticipated to require ≥28 days of PN due to gastrointestinal malformations or injury. Duration of the initial and extended treatment phase was 28 days and 84 days (for patients with PN indication after day 28). Results83/ 78 patients (mean postnatal age: 11.4/ 8.3 days, 54/ 59 preterm) received CO-ILE and SOLE, respectively. 33 patients per group completed 28 days on treatment. Risk of having conjugated bilirubin values > 2 mg/dL confirmed by a second sample 7 days after the first during the initial treatment phase (primary outcome) was 2.4% (2 of 83) with CO-ILE and 3.8% (3 of 78) with SOLE (risk ratio 0.59 [95% CI: 0.09, 3.76]). Between days 29 and 84, the number of patients with confirmed conjugated bilirubin values > 2 mg/dL did not increase in the CO-ILE group (n=2) and increased in the SOLE group (n=9). At the end of the initial treatment phase, conjugated bilirubin concentrations were 45.6% lower under CO-ILE than under SOLE (p=0.006). There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of essential fatty acid deficiency in patients in the CO-ILE group. Median time to discharge alive was 56.7 and 66.4 days with CO-ILE and SOLE, respectively (hazard ratio: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.68). ConclusionsCO-ILE was associated with a possible lower risk of cholestasis and significantly lower conjugated bilirubin at the end of the initial treatment phase in high-risk neonates and infants as compared to patients treated with SOLE. In summary, these data indicate that CO-ILE can be considered safe and may be preferable over SOLE in high-risk neonates.Clinical Trial Registry number: Clinicaltrials.gov, study ID NCT02579265

Congenital Diarrhoeas and Enteropathies.

Congenital diarrhoeas and enteropathies (CODE) are a heterogeneous group of disorders. Many affected infants present with catastrophic dehydration in the first few days of life, although the clinical phenotype is variable. Advances in the understanding of underlying pathomechanisms and genetic testing, as well as improved management, in particular intravenous nutrition support, have allowed affected patients to survive well beyond childhood. Awareness and understanding of these rare diseases are hence needed, both amongst paediatricians and adult physicians. In this review, we discuss the different groups of disorders based on a review of the current literature and provide a diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Many of the subtypes of CODE result in the need for prolonged or indefinite parenteral nutrition. Further research is needed to identify new CODE to improve the recognition and management of these children, which can assist in developing new targeted therapies and potentially a long-term cure.

Fistuloclysis in the nutritional management of a enteroatmospheric fistula: case report and literature review

Introduction: The open abdomen (OA) strategy has been widely adopted as a life-saving intervention in critically ill patients. Initially described as part of the damage control surgery in trauma practice, OA techniques have since further expanded its indications, being successfully adapted to many non-trauma emergent surgical conditions, including abdominal compartment syndrome, severe acute pancreatitis, vascular diseases, and peritonitis/intra-abdominal sepsis. Case Report: This report presents a successful application of this technique in the management of a high-output enteroatmospheric fistula following abdominal complications in a trauma patient. Final considerations: Fistuloclysis is a promising modality for the nutritional support of complex cases of enteroatmospheric fistula in OA patients that also align with the recent efforts to ensure enteral nutrition whenever feasible. Besides its advantages over prolonged exclusive parenteral nutrition in terms of morbidity and costs, the improvement in bowel mucosal trophism is critical for the definitive reconstructive surgery. Future clinical guidelines may encourage the use of fistuloclysis as a safe and effective alternative method for the management of these challenging cases.

Is neurodevelopment impaired in Brazilian children with intestinal failure on prolonged parenteral nutrition? A single center study.

To assess the neurodevelopment outcomes of children younger than 42months of age with intestinal failure (IF) using prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN) followed by a Pediatric Multidisciplinary Intestinal Rehabilitation Program from a public tertiary hospital in Brazil. Bayley III scale was administered in children aged 2 to 42months with IF and receiving PN for more than 60days. Composite scores in cognitive, motor, and language domains were analyzed. Developmental delay was defined as a performance 2 standard deviations (SD) below the average at the 3 domains. Association between Bayley III composite scores and clinical variables related to IF were tested. Twenty-four children with median (IQR) age of 17.5months (9-28.5) were studied, 58.3% were male. Developmental delay was found in 34%, 33% and 27% of the patients in cognitive, motor, and language domains, respectively. There was no significant association between the Bayley-III composite scores and length of hospitalization, prematurity, and number of surgical procedures with anesthesia. The study demonstrated impairments in the cognitive, motor and language domains in approximately one-third of young patients with IF on prolonged PN.

Effectiveness of Fistuloclysis in Nutritional Management of Enteroatmospheric Fistulas: A Retrospective Study at Santo Tomás Hospital, Panama.

Introduction Enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) present significant challenges in surgical management due to their complex nature and high mortality rate. Traditional approaches often rely on prolonged parenteral nutrition, but emerging evidence suggests the potential benefits of enteral nutrition via fistuloclysis, an underappreciated enteral nutrition route. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional therapy, specifically fistuloclysis, in patients with EAF managed at the Trauma Unit of Santo Tomás Hospital, Panama. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on nine male patients diagnosed with EAF between January 2016 and December 2020. Data on demographics, fistula characteristics, and nutritional management were collected through chart review. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results We analyzed nine patients, all of whom received enteral nutrition (EN) via fistuloclysis in a median of 5.5 days from the diagnosis of EAF. Seven patients required parenteral nutrition (PN) at the beginning. The use of specialized enteral formulas, supplemented with hydrolyzed proteins and medium-chain triglycerides, facilitated discontinuation of PN once 80% of nutritional requirements were met via the enteral route, and EN was continued until definitive surgery. The median duration of PN was 34 days. No adverse effects related to EN were observed, whereas complications such as central venous catheter infections were reported in all cases requiring PN. Conclusion Fistuloclysis is a viable and effective alternative to traditional PN in patients with EAF. Specialized nutritional strategies, including the use of semi-elemental formulas, contribute to improved outcomes and reduced complications. Early initiation and gradual increase in enteral nutrition via fistuloclysis demonstrate safety and efficacy, underscoring the importance of tailored nutritional approaches in optimizing patient care for complex surgical conditions.

Incidence of metabolic bone disease in neonates under 32 gestational weeks at the Hospital Universitario de Santander in Colombia.

Metabolic bone disease of premature infants is a rare complication characterized by a lower mineral content in bone tissue. To establish the incidence of metabolic bone disease in premature infants and to determine associated risk factors. We conducted a descriptive prospective cohort study for one year in all newborns under 32 gestational weeks, or 1,500 g, at the Hospital Universitario de Santander to determine the incidence of metabolic bone disease. We collected demographic data and prenatal histories of the selected patients, and later, we measured serum alkaline phosphatase and serum phosphorus at the third week of birth, having as reference values for diagnosis less than 5.6 mg/dl for the first one and more than 500 UI/L for the second one. We applied statistical tools for data analysis, such as average proportions, dispersion, distribution and association measures, and binomial regression. From a total of 58 patients, 7 had a diagnosis of metabolic bone disease, with an incidence of 12%. The weight was reported as an independent variable for the development of the disease, being significant in children under 1,160 g, as well as prolonged parenteral nutrition for more than 24 days. When performing the multivariate analysis, low weight and short time of parenteral nutrition appeared as risk factors; in the same way, maternal age below 22 years is associated with a higher relative risk, even more than a newborn weight inferior to 1,160 g. Establishing an early intervention in patients with metabolic bone disease enhancing risk factors, such as low weight and prolonged parenteral nutrition, is critical to prevent severe complications.

Usefulness and description of the intestinal bypass technique in children with short bowel syndrome: report of a Mexican cohort.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is one of the most frequent causes of intestinal failure, needing parenteral nutrition to maintain an energy-protein and water-electrolyte balance. At the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), the formation of two stomas is a technique used for intestinal rehabilitation, where the use of residue through the bypass technique (BT) helps to maintain gastrointestinal functionality, water-electrolyte, and nutritional stability. This study aimed to describe the technique of using intestinal residue through BT as a treatment strategy in intestinal rehabilitation and its effect on the biochemical and nutritional status of pediatric patients with SBS. An analytical and retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in patients hospitalized at HIMFG with SBS who underwent BT during their hospital stay between 2019 and 2020 and then followed up for 8 weeks. A total of 10 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 24 months; 50% were female. BT was able to reduce the inflammatory process in the liver caused by the continuous use of parenteral nutrition; enteral caloric intake increased from 25.32 kcal/kg/day to 72.94 kcal/kg/day, but it was insufficient to improve their nutritional status. BT is a safe and effective alternative in intestinal rehabilitation in patients with SBS to stimulate trophism and intestinal functionality, allowing a progression of enteral feeding and a decrease in the hepatic inflammatory process that occurs in these patients with prolonged parenteral nutrition.

Gastroschisis and omphalocele: Incidence and outcome

Gastroschisis and omphalocele are the most common congenital abdominal wall defects. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, other associated anomalies and the course of these diseases in Iceland. The study was retrospective. The population was all newborns who were admitted to the NICU of Children's Hospital Iceland due to gastroschisis or omphalocele in 1991-2020. Furthermore, all fetuses diagnosed prenatally or post mortem where the pregnancy ended in spontaneous or induced abortion, were included. During the study period, 54 infants were born with gastroschisis and five with omphalocele. The incidence of gastroschisis was 4.11 and omphalocele 0,38/10,000 births. There was no significant change in the incidence of the diseases during the study period. In addition, five fetuses were diagnosed with gastroschisis and 31 with omphalocele where the pregnancy was terminated. In addition to gastroschisis in the live born infants and fetuses the most common associated anomalies were in the gastrointestinal or urinary tract but in infants and fetuses with omphalocele anomalies of the cardiac, central nervous or skeletal systems were the most common. Sixteen fetuses diagnosed with omphalocele had trisomy 18. Mothers aged 16-20 were more likely to give birth to an infant with gastroschisis than older mothers (p< 0.001). Primary closure was successful in 86% of the infants. Those reached full feedings significantly earlier and were discharged earlier. Overall survival rate was 95%. Three children were still receiving parenteral nutrition at discharge due to short bowel syndrome. The incidence of gastroschisis in Iceland is in accordance with studies in other countries but but the incidence of omphalocele is lower, which can be partly explained by spontaneous or induced abortions. Other anomalies associated with omphalocele are more severe than those associated with gastroschisis. Primary closure was associated with more benign course. Children with gastroschisis may need prolonged parenteral nutrition due to shortening of their intestines.

Association between two different lipid injectable emulsions and parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in very low birth weight infants: A retrospective cohort study.

Using soybean oil-based lipid emulsions (Intralipid), which contain higher amounts of ω-6 fatty acids and phytosterols in parenteral nutrition, is a risk factor for cholestasis (parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis [PNAC]). An alternative form of a mixed lipid emulsion (SMOFlipid) has been developed to reduce the risk of PNAC, but significant benefits over Intralipid in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have yet to be demonstrated. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in PNAC incidence in VLBW infants receiving SMOFlipid vs Intralipid. The study was conducted in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China, from January 2016 to March 2022. In total, 235 VLBW infants were administered SMOFlipid or Intralipid for ≥21 days and were included in the study. The primary outcome was the incidence of PNAC. Secondary outcomes included bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, length of stay, weight 28 days after birth, severity of PNAC, and the time to reversal of PNAC. Forty-four VLBW infants (35.5%) in the SMOFlipid group vs 41 (36.9%) in the Intralipid group achieved PNAC (P = 0.817). The subgroup analysis showed that the peak direct bilirubin level was lower (median [interquartile range] 55.6 [36.4] vs 118.4 [77.2] μmol/L; P < 0.001), and the time to reversal of PNAC was shorter (44 [49] vs 96 [61]; P < 0.001) in the SMOFlipid group than in the Intralipid group. SMOFlipid may represent a better alternative for VLBW infants who require prolonged parenteral nutrition.

Characteristics and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients following massive bowel resection: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundMassive bowel resection (MBR), defined as residual small bowel < 25 % of expected length-for-age based on established norms, is a rare entity. Traditionally, children who have undergone MBR have higher mortality and less probability of achieving enteral autonomy compared to patients with less substantial bowel loss. The primary objective of this study was to determine the characteristics and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients following MBR. Secondary objectives included comparing patients who achieved enteral autonomy to those who remained parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent to determine characteristics associated with PN independence. MethodsRetrospective cohort study of patients following MBR managed by our multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation program between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017, with an observation period ending December 31, 2021. Results61 patients with MBR fulfilled study inclusion criteria. 21 patients (34.4 %) achieved enteral autonomy while 40 patients (65.6 %) did not. Patients who achieved enteral autonomy had a greater percentage of residual small bowel (22 % vs 13 %, P < 0.01) and colon (100 % vs 50 %, P < 0.01). They were more likely to have an ICV (73.2 % vs 15 %, P < 0.01) and less likely to undergo STEP procedure (14.3 % vs 37.5 %, P = 0.02). 18 patients in the cohort without enteral autonomy achieved greater than 50 % enteral nutrition. In this cohort, the overall transplant rate was 9.8 % and mortality rate was 11.5 %. ConclusionSeveral important advancements have occurred over the last two decades that have allowed more patients to reach their adaptive potential and mitigate complications of prolonged PN following MBR. Overall outcomes are better than previously reported.

Bone Status and Early Nutrition in Preterm Newborns with and without Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) together with preterm birth could be harmful to bone health. The aim of the study was to examine bone status in IUGR versus non-IUGR preterms and to analyze the nutritional management best correlated with its improvement. Newborns < 34 weeks of gestational age (wGA), 75 IUGR and 75 non-IUGR, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Padova were enrolled and monitored from birth until 36 wGA through anthropometry (weight, length, head circumference, lower limb length (LLL)), biochemistry, bone quantitative ultrasound assessment of bone status (metacarpus bone transmission time, mc-BTT, us) and nutritional intakes monitoring during parenteral nutrition. IUGR compared to non-IUGR showed lower mean mc-BTT (0.45 vs. 0.51, p = 0.0005) and plasmatic phosphate (1.45 vs. 1.79, p < 0.001) at birth. Mc-BTT at 36 wGA, though equal between groups, correlated in IUGR newborns with basal phosphate, mean total energy of the first week and month (positively) and days to reach full enteral feeding (negatively). Lower i.v. vitamin D intake, LLL and prolonged total parenteral nutrition predicted worse mc-BTT at 36 wGA in the enrolled infants. These results suggest that preterms and in particular IUGR newborns need special nutritional care to promote bone development.

Gastrointestinal Fistulas in Necrotizing Pancreatitis Receiving a Step-Up Approach Incidence, Risk Factors, Outcomes and Treatment.

Necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) complicated by gastrointestinal fistula is challenging and understudied. As the treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis changed to a step-up strategy, we attempted to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, clinical outcomes and treatment of gastrointestinal fistulas in patients receiving a step-up approach. Clinical data from 1274 patients with NP from 2014-2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors and propensity score matching (PSM) to explore clinical outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas. Gastrointestinal fistulas occurred in 8.01% (102/1274) of patients. Of these, 10 were gastric fistulas, 52 were duodenal fistulas, 14 were jejunal or ileal fistulas and 41 were colonic fistulas. Low albumin on admission (OR, 0.936), higher CTSI (OR, 1.143) and invasive intervention prior to diagnosis of gastrointestinal fistula (OR, 5.84) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of gastrointestinal fistula, and early enteral nutrition (OR, 0.191) was a protective factor. Patients who developed a gastrointestinal fistula were in a worse condition on admission and had a poorer clinical outcome (p<0.05). After PSM, both groups of patients had similar baseline information and clinical characteristics at admission. The development of gastrointestinal fistulas resulted in new-onset persistent organ failure, increased open surgery, prolonged parenteral nutrition and hospitalization, but not increased mortality. The majority of patients received only conservative treatment and minimally invasive interventions, with 7 patients (11.3%) receiving surgery for upper gastrointestinal fistulas and 11 patients (26.9%) for colonic fistulas. Gastrointestinal fistulas occurred in 8.01% of NP patients. Independent risk factors were low albumin, high CTSI and early intervention, while early enteral nutrition was a protective factor. After PSM, gastrointestinal fistulas resulted in an increased proportion of NP patients receiving open surgery and prolonged hospitalization. The majority of patients with gastrointestinal fistulas treated with step-up therapy could avoid surgery.

Clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature infants exposed to intravenous fish- and soybean oil-based lipid emulsions.

The optimal composition of lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition (PN) for premature infants remains controversial. This study examined the effects of a combination of soybean oil-based (SoyLE) and fish oil-based (FishLE) lipid emulsions compared to FishLE as monotherapy on the lipid and fatty acid profiles and clinical outcomes of premature infants requiring prolonged PN. 42 premature infants received FishLE+SoyLE or FishLE. Serum concentrations of lipoproteins and 29 fatty acids (FA) were measured at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks of PN and growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes were measured at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of life. Lipid profiles were similar between groups. Plasma concentrations of ω-6 fatty acids tended to decrease over time in both groups. Concentrations of most ω-3 fatty acids, in particular docosapentaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, were significantly increased over time in the FishLE+SoyLE group whereas they did not change in the FishLE alone group. However, serum concentrations of almost all fatty acids were similar between groups at the end of the study period. No differences in growth parameters including weight, height, fronto-occipital circumference (FOC), body mass index (BMI) were observed up to two years of age. Similarly, there were no differences in neurodevelopmental test scores at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. No substantial differences in lipid profiles and short clinical outcomes were found in infants exposed to FishLE+SoyLE when compared to FishLE.

Cutoffs and Characteristics of Abnormal Bowel Dilatation in Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome.

Although excessive intestinal dilatation associates with worsened outcomes in pediatric short bowel syndrome (SBS), little is known about the natural history and definition of pathological dilatation. We addressed fore-, mid-, and hind-gut dilatation in children with SBS, who had not undergone autologous intestinal reconstructive (AIR) surgery, in relation to controls. SBS children without history of AIR surgery (n = 59) and age-matched controls without any disclosed intestinal pathology (n = 140) were included. Maximum diameter of duodenum, small bowel (SB), and colon were measured in each intestinal contrast series during 2002 to 2020 and expressed as diameter ratio (DR) to L5 vertebrae height. Predictive ability of DR for weaning off parenteral nutrition (PN) was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards regression models using multiple cutoffs. Duodenum (DDR), SB (SBDR), and colon (CDR) DR were 53%, 183%, and 23% higher in SBS patients compared to controls ( P < 0.01 for all). The maximal DDR and SBDR measured during follow-up is associated with current PN dependence and young age. DDR correlated with SBDR ( r = 0.586, P < 0.01). Patients with maximal DDR less than 1.5, which was also the 99th percentile for controls, were 2.5-fold more likely to wean off PN ( P = 0.005), whereas SBDR and CDR were not predictive for PN duration. All segments of remaining bowel, especially SB, dilate above normal levels in children with SBS. In SBS children without AIR surgery, PN dependence and young age is associated with duodenal and small intestinal dilatation, while duodenal dilatation also predicted prolonged PN.

Improvement in Intestinal-Failure-Associated Liver Disease by Using Parenteral Fish Oil as Monotherapy: Case-Based Review of the Literature

Intestinal-failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) is a common complication of prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN). Risk factors for IFALD include clinical features, as well as medical interventions, and its management was initially based on the decrease or interruption of parenteral nutrition while increasing enteral nutrition. However, the tolerance of full enteral nutrition in children with intestinal failure may require prolonged intestinal rehabilitation over a period of years. As a consequence, infants unable to wean from PN are prone to develop end-stage liver disease. We describe the case of an infant receiving long-term PN who was diagnosed with IFALD wherein we were able to reverse IFALD by switching lipid emulsions to fish oil monotherapy. A systemic review of case reports and case series on reversing IFALD using fish oil lipid emulsion follows the case description.

Pharmacologic inhibition of HNF4α prevents parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis in mice

Prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN) can lead to PN associated cholestasis (PNAC). Intestinally derived lipopolysaccharides and infused PN phytosterols lead to activation of NFκB, a key factor in PNAC. Our objective was to determine if inhibition of HNF4α could interfere with NFκB to alleviate murine PNAC. We showed that HNF4α antagonist BI6015 (20 mg/kg/day) in DSS-PN (oral DSS x4d followed by Total PN x14d) mice prevented the increased AST, ALT, bilirubin and bile acids and reversed mRNA suppression of hepatocyte Abcg5/8, Abcb11, FXR, SHP and MRP2 that were present during PNAC. Further, NFκB phosphorylation in hepatocytes and its binding to LRH-1 and BSEP promoters in liver, which are upregulated in DSS-PN mice, were inhibited by BI6015 treatment. BI6015 also prevented the upregulation in liver macrophages of Adgre1 (F4/80) and Itgam (CD11B) that occurs in DSS-PN mice, with concomitant induction of anti-inflammatory genes (Klf2, Klf4, Clec7a1, Retnla). In conclusion, HNF4α antagonism attenuates PNAC by suppressing NFκB activation and signaling while inducing hepatocyte FXR and LRH-1 and their downstream bile and sterol transporters. These data identify HNF4α antagonism as a potential therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of PNAC.

How delayed full enteral feeding could affect extrauterine growth restriction in a neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective, short-term, observational single-center study.

Achieving adequate growth in preterm newborns through enteral feeding is one of the most important aspects of providing medical assistance in neonatal intensive care units due to not only improved outcomes (the prevention of complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis) but also the evaluation of the well-known consequences of adequate weight gain beyond metabolism and cognitive abilities later in life. In our study, we evaluated how the impact of delayed full enteral feeding could influence the entity of extrauterine growth restriction. We retrospectively analyzed the data of preterm subjects from a neonatal intensive care unit anonymous database. We detected significant correlations between delayed full enteral feeding as well as prolonged parenteral nutrition and extrauterine growth restriction. The achievement of full enteral feeding in the shortest possible time may be reasonably considered an important aspect in preterm newborn care.

Unusual presentation of Wernicke’s encephalopathy with hypertension

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The classical triad of Wernicke’s encephalopathy is mental confusion, oculomotor dysfunction, and ataxia. It is generally associated with alcoholism and prolonged parenteral nutrition without vitamin supplementation. Wernicke’s encephalopathy must be treated urgently to prevent death and neurological morbidity. In this report, we present an unusual pediatric case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy in which the patient initially presented with hypertension. Intravenous thiamine of 100 mg daily treatment was started, after which she became normotensive. This is the first reported case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy presenting with hypertension and resolved after thiamine treatment.

Lipid strategies to prevent intestinal failure-associated liver disease in neonates: A pilot trial.

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) occurs in up to 50% of neonates treated with prolonged parenteral nutrition. Preventative strategies for IFALD include soybean oil lipid emulsion (SOLE) minimization and use of mixed-oil intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE). We conducted a pilot study prospectively comparing these two ILE strategies in the prevention of IFALD in neonates who required abdominal surgery. We randomized eligible neonates to SOLE at 1 g/kg/day (SOLE Min) or mixed-oil ILE containing fish oil (MOLE) at 3 g/kg/day. These treatment groups were also compared with historic controls who received SOLE at 2-3 g/kg/day (SOLE Historic). We defined IFALD as a direct bilirubin >2 mg/dl on two measurements. Secondary outcomes included laboratory, growth, clinical, and nutrition outcomes. A total of 24 prospective and 24 historic patients were included. There was no difference in the rate of IFALD. However, there was a difference in the weekly change of direct bilirubin levels (SOLE Historic +0.293 mg/dl/week vs MOLE, P < 0.001; SOLE Min +0.242 mg/dl/week vs MOLE, P < 0.001). The MOLE group also had a lower direct bilirubin at study completion (SOLE Historic, 1.7 ± 1.7 mg/dl; SOLE Min, 1.6 ± 1.4 mg/dl; MOLE, 0.4 ± 0.4 mg/dl; P = 0.002) and received greater total calories (P = 0.008). The rate of IFALD did not differ when comparing ILE strategies in neonates requiring abdominal surgery. However, the MOLE group maintained significantly lower direct bilirubin levels over time while receiving increased calories. This pilot study highlights the need for further randomized controlled trials comparing these ILE strategies.