• Rita D'Ascenzo, Sabrina D'Egidio, Lorena Angelini, Maria Paola Bellagamba, Marco Manna, Adriana Pompilio, Paola Elisa Cogo, Paola Elena Cogo, and Virgilio Paolo Carnielli.
• Division of Neonatology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche and Salesi's Children Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy.
• J. Pediatr. 2011 Jul 1; 159 (1): 33-38.e1.

ObjectiveTo compare plasma lipids in preterm infants given a new lipid emulsion containing 10% fish oil, 50% medium-chain triacylglycerols, and 40% soybean oil, compared with a standard preparation containing 50:50 medium-chain triacylglycerols: soybean oil.Study DesignPreterm infants weighing <1250 g at birth (n=47) were randomly assigned to receive parenteral nutrition with a fish oil lipid (n=23) or soybean oil (n=24). Plasma lipid classes and plasma and red blood cell fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography in cord blood and on postnatal days 7 and 14.ResultsOn day 7, the infants receiving fish oil lipid had significantly lower plasma phospholipids, cholesterol esters, and free cholesterol but similar triglyceride concentrations. They also had significantly higher phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid (2.77 ± 0.08 versus 2.46 ± 0.01 mol%, P<.01) and eicosapentaenoic acid (1.58 ± 0.01 versus 0.25 ± 0.01 mol%, P<.01) as well as lower arachidonic acid (10.64 ± 0.29 versus 11.93 ± 0.29 mol%, P<.01) compared with those receiving soybean oil. Similar differences were found in red blood cells.ConclusionsThe fish oil lipid emulsion was well tolerated, and infants receiving fish oil had lower plasma lipids and improved fatty acids status. The effect of these changes on inflammation, growth, and neurodevelopment should be explored.Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

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