Use of parenteral fish oil to reverse cholestasis induced by parenteral nutrition in infants with intestinal failure: single-centre case series.

Published data assessing the efficacy and toxicity of omega-3 fatty acid emulsion in children are limited. Until recently, children requiring long-term parenteral nutrition who experienced parenteral nutrition–associated liver disease (PNALD) were likely to die from infection or liver disease before receiving a small bowel and/or liver transplant. With the introduction of parenteral fish oil (10% long-chain omega-3 fatty acid emulsion; Omegaven, Fresenius Kabi, Bad Homburg, Germany), originally indicated for use in combination with a soybean oil–based lipid emulsion (Intralipid), we have been able to reverse this life-threatening condition in several infants without the need for transplantation. We present our experience with parenteral administration of fish oil in 8 infants with PNALD. Verbal informed consent for publication was obtained from the patients’ guardians. No ethics approval was required by our institution.