Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Urinary Excretion of Prostaglandins PGE 1 and PGE2 in Infants during Total Parenteral Nutrition,with Continuous or Sequential Administration of Fat Emulsion

Abstract

During total parenteral nutrition, using an identical supply of fat emulsion (350 mg/kg/24 hr) to correct essential fatty acid deficiency in children, the efficacy of two methods of administration was studied: continuous over 24 hr, or discontinuous 3 hr/day. At the beginning of the study, all the infants (1-4 months old) had proven essential fatty acid deficiency. After at least 1 month of one of the two nutritional protocols (continuous or discontinuous), plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition and PGE₁ and PGE ₂ urinary excretion were measured. The results obtained indicate better utilization of the fat emulsion when it is administered almost every day, in continuous infusion over 24 hr (1 g/kg/24 hr of Intralipid 20%). ( Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 10:631-634, 1986)