Use of Lipids in Neonates Requiring Parenteral Nutrition

Neonates have limited antioxidative capacity and are at increased risk of infection and inflammation—a situation that is exacerbated in preterm neonates. Together, oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in many serious conditions affecting neonates, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and periventricular leukomalacia. Neonates requiring parenteral nutrition have certain nutritional requirements. For example, very long‐chain ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are regarded as conditionally essential with critical roles during early retinal and brain development, and may also have other benefits such as anti‐inflammatory effects. Because of these factors, the choice of lipid emulsion used as part of parenteral nutrition support may influence clinical outcomes in neonates. There are concerns that lipid emulsions based purely on soybean oil may increase lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and inflammation because of their high ω‐6 PUFA and low ω‐3 PUFA concentrations. Composite fish‐oil containing lipid emulsions may provide advantages for neonates owing to their high DHA and EPA content and high antioxidant (α‐tocopherol) levels. Here, we discuss clinical trials of lipid emulsions in preterm and term neonatal populations, with a particular emphasis on markers of oxidative stress and DHA and EPA levels. Olive oil/soybean oil lipid emulsions have shown few advantages in neonates over other lipid emulsions. However, compared with either pure soybean or soybean/olive‐oil based emulsions, composite fish‐oil containing lipid emulsions reduce oxidative stress/lipid peroxidation and also increase DHA and EPA levels. These advantages may translate into clinical benefits for neonates requiring parenteral nutrition.