Abstract
Premature infants receiving PN free of fat soon develop essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency, whereas they often have less than 1% of their body weight as fatdeposit. Experience has shown that Intralipid (IL) is a good source of calories and EFA. However, infants who are hypoxic, acidotic or septic present intolerance for IV administered fat-solutions, even at rates of infusion that have been tolerated before (Pediatr58:787, 1976). Because these conditions, are frequently encountered in premature babies and neonates, articles on cutaneous application of sunflower-oil (SO) appeared very attractive (Pediatr58:650,1976). 19 premature and term born babies on PN were studied during 14 days. IL 20% was administerd to 10; SO was rubbed 6times daily on the skin of 9. Plasma fatty acids were determined at birth, day 7 and 14. Levels of C16:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C20:4 did not change in the IL-group. In the SO-group a deficiency in C18:2 developed, that could be corrected by the administration of IL. We conclude that despites IL administration, is often controversal in prematures (displacement of albumin-bound bilirubin, altered synthesis of prostaglandins, cholestasis, impairment of pulmonary function and vasculitis, fat-overloading syndrome,...), the latter is necessary to prevent EFA deficiency. A deficiency in C18:2 can not be prevented by topical application of SO, even not in very-low-birth-weight infants.
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Vandenplas, Y., Leyssens, L., Bougatef, A. et al. 90 PLASMA FATTY ACIDS IN PARENTERALLY FED PREMATURE AND TERM BORN INFRANTS: CHANGES INDUCED BY INTRALIPID AND SUNFLOWER-SEED OIL. Pediatr Res 24, 420 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198809000-00113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198809000-00113