Use of Intravenous Lipids in Very Low-birthweight Infants

Abstract

Lipids are essential components of parenteral nutrition for preterm infants to provide essential fatty acids and to meet high energy needs. However, there is concern about increased risks of sepsis, displacement of bilirubin from albumin, and pulmonary complications when parenteral lipids are provided to sick preterm infants early in postnatal life. Slow administration of intravenous lipid emulsions, with stepwise increases, appears to be well-tolerated in most preterm infants. High doses probably should be avoided in infants who have severe acute respiratory failure with or without pulmonary hypertension.