Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia as risk factors of liver dysfunction in children with inflammation receiving total parenteral nutrition.

Background And Aims: Hepatic dysfunction, due to parenteral nutrition, may become severe and lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure, especially in newborns and infants. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the exclusive use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and changes in the hepatic profile, and to investigate the relationship between age, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia, and the occurrence of laboratory liver dysfunction.

Methods: A descriptive and historical cohort study was conducted, evaluating 195 pediatric patients (age: 1 month to 19 years) who received TPN. The following hepatic and lipid profiles were assessed: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), albumin, and transthyretin. High C-reactive protein and/or low HDL were considered indicative of inflammatory process.

Results: The majority of patients presented normal values of AST (79.2%), ALT (74.9%), GGT (56.4%), and alkaline phosphatase (68.1%). Total bilirubin changed in 68.5% of patients, and transthyretin and albumin were low in 87.3% and 65.1% of the patients, respectively. Incidences of high GGT values were related to age (odds ratio [OR], 2.46; confidence interval [CI] 1.28-4.76; p = 0.007), hypercholesterolemia (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.24-7.25; p = 0.015), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.02-5.60; p = 0.046). Incidences of elevated ALT values were associated with hypercholesterolemia (OR, 4.57; 95% CI, 2.03-10.30; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Monitoring the hepatic profile from the early stage of TPN is necessary. Changes in the plasma lipid and hepatic profiles were frequently observed during the infusion of TPN, in patients with inflammation. Patients >2 years old and those with high TG and HDL levels were more likely to have elevated GGT levels. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with ALT alterations. Strategies to attenuate these issues should be considered in the early stages, in patients with TPN.