A recent study (C Binder et al. J Pediatr 2019; 211: 46-53) examined electrophysiological brain maturation in a randomized double-blinded controlled trial of SMOF lipid compared to soybean lipid emulsion for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) premature infants. This was a prespecified secondary outcome analysis of a randomized trial of 230 infants (2012-2015).

It is recognized that the ELBW infants have very little nutritional reserve.  In addition, DHA which is transferred to the fetus in high amounts in the last trimester is absent from parenteral soybean lipid emulsions.  Thus, the authors explored whether SMOF lipid which is a mixture of lipids (30% soybean oil, 30% medium-chain triglycerides, 25% olive oil, and  15% fish oil) and contains DHA would have a favorable effect on neurocognitive outcomes.

In this study, the authors examined amplitude-integrated electroencephalography measurements (aEEG)  to assess neurodevelopment. Both groups received similar lipid dosing, SMOF 2.2 g/day and Soybean 2.1 g/day.

Key findings:

• Among the available 121 infants in the subgroup with aEEG (n=63 SMOF, n=58 soybean), maximum maturational scores on aEEG were achieved 2 weeks earlier in the SMOF group (36.4 weeks vs 38.4 weeks, P<.001).

Limitation:

• aEEG is a marker of neurocognitive development; however, more adequate outcomes of  neurodevelopmental progress are needed. The authors plan to follow these infants up to 5 years of age.

My take: This study is very favorable for the use of SMOF lipids in premature infants.  — SMOF lipid emulsion by itself may improve neurocognitive outcomes. In addition, clinicians are more likely to provide adequate amounts of lipid calories with SMOF as compared to soybean emulsion which is often restricted to minimize liver injury.  Giving adequate lipid calories is also likely to enhance neurological outcomes.

Related blog posts:

• Downside of Lipid Reduction (Nutrition Week Day 1) This study showed that higher lipid intake in a cohort of neonates born at <30 weeks during the first 2 weeks after birth was associated with a lower incidence of brain lesions and dysmaturation when examined by MRI at term equivalent age (TEA).
• Improving Outlook in Neonatal Nutrition (Part 1)
• Neonatal Nutrition Lecture -What We Know Right Now …
• Favorable Fish Oil Outcomes in High Risk Preterm Infants | gutsandgrowth
• Current Mortality from Being Born Premature | gutsandgrowth
• Visual Acuity and LCPUFA | gutsandgrowth
• Weight Gain in Preemies, Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, and Reverse Causation

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