Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
-
J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. · Apr 2014
Observational StudyEEG abnormalities are associated with increased risk of transplant or poor outcome in children with acute liver failure.
There are limited data on the incidence of seizures and utility of brain imaging and electroencephalogram (EEG) to predict outcome of children with acute liver failure (ALF). We investigated the association between hepatic encephalopathy (HE) scores, abnormal EEG or neuroimaging, and short-term outcome. ⋯ Children with a moderate or severe abnormality of EEG background on admission were significantly more likely to require LT or to die. Children with an HE score ≤ 2, and a normal or only mildly abnormal EEG, were significantly more likely to survive without needing LT. These findings are an initial step toward distinguishing patients with ALF who may recover spontaneously from those who will require LT.
-
J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyGrowth and fatty acid profiles of VLBW infants receiving a multicomponent lipid emulsion from birth.
Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants are dependent on parenteral nutrition after birth. A parenteral lipid emulsion with a multicomponent composition may improve growth and neurodevelopment and may prevent liver injury, which is often observed in association with long-term parenteral nutrition with pure soybean oil. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a multicomponent lipid emulsion containing 30% soybean oil, 30% medium-chain triacylglycerol, 25% olive oil, and 15% fish oil compared with a conventional pure soybean oil emulsion in VLBW infants. ⋯ The multicomponent lipid emulsion was well tolerated and associated with improved growth and higher plasma fatty acid profiles in VLBW infants in comparison with the pure soybean oil emulsion.