Using Parenteral Fish Oil From Birth May Improve Short and Long Term Outcome in Preterm Infants

Background: Lipids are a crucial component of parenteral nutrition in its entirety. This study aimed to compare the short—and long-term outcomes of lipid solutions containing fish oil and standard parenteral lipid solutions in total parenteral nutrition of premature neonates. Methods: Preterm infants weighing less than 1500 grams or 32 weeks gestation admitted to Dr. Behçet Uz Children’s Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 2018 and January 2020 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Infants receiving only 3 g/kg/day Clinoleic were enrolled in Group 2; infants receiving 1 g/kg/day Omegaven plus 2 g/kg/day Clinoleic were enrolled in Group 1. Weight at discharge, laboratory data (liver enzymes, bilirubin levels), and long-term results were compared. Results: The study comprised 70 newborns, and 35 of them were in Group 1. Group 1 had a considerably lower direct bilirubin level (d bil p valueu; 1st week p=0.03, 2nd week p=0.87, 3rd week p=0.02). The omegaven group had a considerably higher weight upon discharge (p=0.02). Long-term neurodevelopmental results did not differ across the groups (MDI score p=0.33, PDI score p=0.11, NDI positivity p=1.00, MDP p=0.81). Conclusion: We demonstrated that the weight at discharge and laboratory measurements improved with Omegaven support. Early exposure to very high levels of oxidative stress may cause infants to employ their antioxidant system as a parenteral support system.