Effect of Low vs. High Incremental Parenteral Lipid Administration on Growth and Metabolic Outcomes in Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Parenteral nutrition PN plays a critical role in managing preterm neonates who cannot achieve adequate enteral intake Among its components intravenous lipid emulsions ILEs serve as a vital energy source and provide essential fatty acids necessary for optimal growth metabolic function and neurodevelopment Despite decades of research and advancements in lipid formulations the optimal lipid administration strategy in preterm neonates remains debated particularly regarding the rate of lipid advancement and its impact on metabolic and clinical outcomes

Current neonatal nutrition practices advocate for early and aggressive PN to reduce postnatal growth failure and enhance long term neurodevelopmental outcomes However concerns persist regarding early high dose lipid administration particularly its potential association with metabolic complications such as hypertriglyceridemia thrombocytopenia hepatic dysfunction and respiratory morbidities The introduction of composite lipid emulsions such as SMOF lipid a blend of soybean oil medium chain triglycerides olive oil and fish oil aims to mitigate some of these risks by providing a balanced lipid profile with anti inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids

The rate of lipid increment in preterm neonates is a critical factor influencing neonatal growth and metabolic adaptation Traditional protocols employ a conservative increment of 05 gkgday whereas more recent studies suggest that a higher increment 1 g per kg per day may support improved weight gain and better metabolic outcomes without increasing the risk of complications However evidence remains inconclusive and there is a pressing need for well controlled trials to determine the safest and most effective lipid advancement strategy in this vulnerable population

This randomized controlled trial RCT aims to evaluate the effect of low 0point 5 g per kg per day vs high 1 g per kg per day incremental lipid administration on growth and metabolic outcomes in preterm neonates receiving SMOF lipid based parenteral nutrition We hypothesize that a higher lipid increment may lead to improved weight gain reduced extrauterine growth restriction EUGR better lipid tolerance and minimal metabolic derangements By systematically assessing anthropometric changes biochemical markers thrombocytopenia incidence respiratory outcomes and hospital stay duration this study will contribute valuable evidence to guide lipid administration practices in neonatal intensive care settings