Parenteral nutrition of preterm infants with a lipid emulsion containing 10% fish oil: effect on plasma lipids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Objective: To 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 Design: Preterm 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.