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Fatty acid patterns in parenterally fed premature and term infants: changes induced by intralipid and sunflower seed
Y Vandenplas1, L Leyssens, A Bougatef
1Academic Childrens Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
Parenteral nutrition with Intralipid 20% prevents essential fatty acid deficiency in infants. Topical sunflower seed oil does not prevent linoleic acid deficiency (C18:2) in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Dermatology
Background:
- Essential fatty acid deficiency is a risk for infants requiring parenteral nutrition.
- Maintaining adequate fatty acid levels is crucial for infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Intralipid 20% infusion versus topical sunflower seed oil in preventing essential fatty acid deficiency in infants.
- To assess the impact on plasma lipid fatty acid patterns.
Main Methods:
- A 14-day study involving 19 premature and term infants receiving parenteral nutrition.
- Group 1: Ten infants received Intralipid 20% intravenously.
- Group 2: Nine infants received topical sunflower seed oil application six times daily.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving Intralipid showed no changes in key fatty acids (C16:0, C18:1, C18:2, C20:4).
- Infants treated with topical sunflower seed oil exhibited a decrease in linoleic acid (C18:2).
- This deficiency was corrected when Intralipid was subsequently administered.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous Intralipid is necessary to prevent plasma linoleic acid (C18:2) deficiency in infants.
- Topical application of sunflower seed oil is ineffective in preventing this deficiency, even in very low birthweight infants.
Abstract:
In order to prevent the development of essential fatty acid deficiency, 19 premature babies and term infants needing parenteral nutrition were studied during 14 days. Intralipid 20% was administered to ten and sunflower seed oil was rubbed six times daily on the skin of nine infants. Fatty acid pattern of plasma lipids were determined at birth and days 7 and 14. Levels of C16:0, C18:1, C18:2, and C20:4 did not change in the Intralipid group. In the sunflower seed oil group a decrease in C18:2 developed, which could be corrected by administering Intralipid (Intralipid was administered to four patients who had previously received sunflower seed oil during 14 days). Although Intralipid administration is often controversial or contraindicated in premature infants (hypoxia, septicemia, acidemia), it appears necessary to prevent plasmatic deficiency in C18:2. The latter cannot be prevented by topical application of sunflower seed oil, not even in very low birthweight infants.