Prevention of Parenteral Nutrition-associated Cholestasis Using Reduced Dose Soybean Lipid Emulsion: A Multicenter Randomized Trial

J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Mar 17:S0022-3468(24)00182-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.03.030. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Introduction: Reducing soybean lipid emulsion (SLE) dose may prevent parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) but effects on growth and neurodevelopment are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of reduced dose SLE on growth and neurodevelopment.

Methods: Surgical neonates at 4 centers were randomized to standard SLE (3 g/kg/day) or reduced SLE (1 g/kg/day) over a 12-week period. Bilirubin levels and growth parameters were measured baseline and weekly while on study. The effects of time and group on direct bilirubin and growth were evaluated with a linear mixed effects model. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 12- and 24-months corrected gestational age.

Results: Twenty-one individuals were randomized (standard dose = 9, reduced dose = 12). Subjects in the reduced dose group had slower rates of direct bilirubin increase and overall levels decreased earlier than those in the standard dose group. There was a trend toward a faster direct bilirubin decrease in the reduced dose group (p = 0.07 at day 84). There were no differences in the rates of change in weight (p = 0.352 at day 84) or height Z-scores (p = 0.11 at day 84) between groups. One subject in the reduced dose group had abnormal neurodevelopmental testing at 24 months.

Conclusions: Surgical neonates randomized to a reduced dose of SLE had improved trends in direct bilirubin levels without clinically significant differences in overall growth and neurodevelopment.

Type of study: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Level of evidence: II.

Keywords: Cholestasis; Intestinal failure; Lipid emulsion; Parenteral nutrition.