Clinical Effects of Inadvertent Increased Lipid Infusion in Neonates: Two Case Reports

Utility of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with an intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) component is common in the neonatal intensive care unit; however, there are inherent risks to TPN use. With IVLE administered separate from other TPN components, opportunities exist for additional error and subsequent potential harm.

We present 2 cases in term infants where IVLE infusions were noted to be inadvertently administered at higher than prescribed rates, prompting concern for lipemia and end-organ damage due to hyperviscosity.

Both infants developed iatrogenic hypertriglyceridemia and hyponatremia.

Upon recognition of the error, IVLE was immediately discontinued in each case. Triglyceride levels were serially monitored until they reached a normal level. Electrolyte panels and hepatic function panels were also drawn to assess for electrolyte derangements and function. Radiologic studies were performed for evaluation of end-organ effects of hyperviscosity.

Triglyceride levels for both infants normalized within 7 hours. Both infants survived to discharge without any known effects related to the inadvertent excessive lipid infusion.

It is helpful to perform a root-cause analysis for these types of events; have the exact amount of lipids in the bag needed and no overfill; consider having lipids in 4-hour dosage aliquots; require 2 nurses to verify infusion rates hourly; and educational sessions and unit protocols for any infusion may reduce the risk of administration error.