title: Safety and efficacy of parenteral fish oil-containing lipid emulsions in premature neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fish oil-containing (FO) lipid emulsions that are rich in ω-3 fatty acids for parenteral nutrition in preterm neonates by using data retrieved from randomized controlled trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials representing 483 premature neonates to compare FO with control (CO) lipid emulsions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This meta-analysis revealed that the levels of ω-3 fatty acids in the form of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid (% of total fatty acids) in plasma were statistically higher in FO groups (mean difference [MD] -0.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.05 to -0.36, P < 0.001; MD -1.31%, 95% CI -1.40 to -1.21, P < 0.001). The differences were found in red blood cell (RBC) membranes. The levels of arachidonic acid (% of total fatty acids) as ω-6 fatty acid in plasma and red blood cell membranes were significantly lower in FO groups (MD 1.27%, 95% CI 1.12-1.42, P < 0.001) (MD 0.92%, 95% CI 0.12-1.72, P = 0.02). The mean body weight, serum level of bilirubin, triglycerides or C-reactive protein, all-cause mortality, and rate of lipid emulsion-associated complications were, however, not different between FO and CO groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of docosahexaenoic acid is efficiently improved by FO lipid emulsions. The changes observed in eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, and the associated safety issue, however, remain to be clarified. Any clinical benefit or detrimental effect of using FO in premature neonates cannot be demonstrated by the present study.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University †Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yiyang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Zude
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005395:Fish Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D001663:Bilirubin