Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants Receiving a Multicomponent vs. a Soybean-Based Lipid Emulsion: 24 Month Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Nutrients 2022, Vol.15 (1)
• Main Authors: Gallini, Francesca, Pelosi, Maria Sofia, De Rose, Domenico Umberto, Coppola, Maria, Costa, Simonetta, Romeo, Domenico Marco, Cocca, Carmen, Maggio, Luca, Cota, Francesco, Piersanti, Alessandra, Ricci, Daniela, Vento, Giovanni
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Developmental neurology; Diet therapy; Health aspects; Infants (Premature); Lipids; Methods; Parenteral feeding; Parenteral therapy; Pediatric research; Physiological aspects
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu15010058

Background: Few studies in the literature have analyzed the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of the administration of a multicomponent versus a soybean-based lipid emulsion (LE) in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). A recent randomized controlled trial conducted in our unit provided evidence of better growth in head circumference during the hospital stay in those who received a multicomponent LE. Methods: This is a 24 month follow-up study of preterm infants, previously enrolled in a randomized trial, who received a multicomponent LE (SMOFlipid[sup.®] ) or a standard soybean-based one (Intralipid[sup.®] ). We evaluated neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of corrected age (CA) in the two groups. Results: Ninety-three children were followed up to the age of 24 months CA. Due to the peculiar time frame of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated only in 77 children: 37 in the SMOFlipid[sup.®] group and 40 in the Intralipid[sup.®] group. No differences in major disability rates or in Griffith's evaluation were found between the two groups. Conclusions: In our population study, the administration of a multicomponent LE containing fish oil, compared to a soybean-based LE, had no significant effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 24 months CA.