A Mixed-Lipid Emulsion Containing Fish Oil for the Parenteral Nutrition of Preterm Infants: No Impact on Visual Neuronal Conduction

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential for neuronal myelination and maturation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of a mixed-lipid emulsion composed of soybean oil, medium-chain triglycerides, olive oil, and fish oil (SMOF-LE) compared to a pure soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (S-LE) for parenteral nutrition had an impact on neuronal conduction in preterm infants. This study is a retrospective matched cohort study comparing preterm infants n = 41 and S-LE: n = 35) with 344 VEP measurements (SMOF-LE: n= 191 and S-LE n = 153). Values of N2 and P2 were not significantly different between the SMOF-LE and S-LE groups. A possible better treatment effect in the SMOF-LE group was seen as a trend toward a shorter latency, indicating faster neural conduction at around term-equivalent age. Prospective trials and follow-up studies are necessary in order to evaluate the potential positive effect of SMOF-LE on neuronal conduction and visual pathway maturation.