The effects of parenteral fish oil on neurodevelopment in preterm infants: A narrative review

N Ikeda; E Shepherd; M Makrides; A J McPhee; R A Gibson; J F Gould

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2024.102620

The effects of parenteral fish oil on neurodevelopment in preterm infants: A narrative review

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2024 May 15:201:102620. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2024.102620. Online ahead of print.

Authors

N Ikeda¹, E Shepherd², M Makrides², A J McPhee³, R A Gibson², J F Gould⁴

Affiliations

¹ Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: nikeda@juntendo.ac.jp.
² Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
³ Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Neonatal Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
⁴ Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

PMID: 38763084
DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2024.102620

Abstract

Objective: This narrative review aimed to summarize studies assessing the effects of parenteral fish oil on neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Methods: PubMed was searched (July 1985 to October 2023). We reviewed randomized controlled trials, and observational studies assessing intravenous lipid emulsion with fish oil in preterm infants (born less than 37 weeks' gestation), that reported long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Results: We identified four publications relating to three randomized controlled trials in addition to four cohort studies. Study designs and outcomes were heterogenous and precluded meta-analyses. Results of trials were null for a selection of neurodevelopmental outcomes, however possible benefits of parenteral fish oil supplementation for neurodevelopment was reported in three cohort studies. Certainty of the evidence is hindered by methodological limitations of available trials and observational studies.

Conclusions: Further research is required to firmly establish the effects of parenteral fish oil on preterm neurodevelopment.

Keywords: Docosahexaenoic acid; Fish oil; Neurodevelopment; Parenteral nutrition; Preterm infant.

Publication types

Review