[Experiences with MCT containing fat emulsions in premature and newborn infants]

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was given for 8-9 days to 15 prematures and full term neonates (gestational age 26-40 weeks) with respiratory problems or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The solutions were administered via peripheral veins during 24 h. Serum electrolytes, calcium, triglycerides and amino acids were measured before and on the 2nd, 4th and 7th day of TPN acid-base balance, blood glucose and serum bilirubin were measured daily and serum transaminases and total protein on the final day of TPN. The total amount of findings administered was 126 ml/kg BW/day and consisted of 10.4 g glucose, 1.9 g fat and 1.95 g amino acids with the total amount of calories reaching an average of 68.7 kcal/kg BW/day (61% glucose, 27.6% fat and 11.4% protein). Three children (2 very small prematures, 1 with severe perinatal asphyxia) died of causes unrelated to TPN. Serum electrolytes, calcium and blood glucose levels were in the normal range in all cases, acid-base balance was affected minimally and moderate hyperbilirubinemia was observed in all neonates. Serum transaminase values were in the normal range as was total protein. Hypertriglyceridemia with values over 3 mmol/l was observed in the very premature neonates and in one neonate with septicemia. Our findings are in favor of administration of MCT fat emulsion to prematures and full term neonates.