Study: Multicomponent intravenous lipid emulsion improves brain development in preterm infants

Findings revealed at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2024 Meeting

2024-05-03

(Press-News.org) Preterm infants supported with a multicomponent intravenous lipid emulsion saw improved brain development compared to those given a single-fat source, a new study finds. The research will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2024 Meeting, held May 3-6 in Toronto.

Soybean-only lipid emulsions traditionally have been used in neonatal intensive care units to provide intravenous nutritional support to preterm infants, according to researchers. This study investigated the effects of newer multicomponent lipid emulsions, with fat sources derived from soybeans, olives, coconuts, and fish oil, on preterm brain development compared to soybean-only.

Researchers evaluated the impact of a variety of intravenous lipid emulsions on preterm brain development using magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and early neurobehavioral assessments from 89 U.S. preterm infants born at or before 32 gestational weeks.

Researchers found that preterm infants receiving the multicomponent lipid emulsion demonstrated improved regional brain growth and biochemical markers of neuronal integrity, as well as superior neurobehavioral regulation, by term-corrected age. These findings could be due to the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the newer multicomponent lipids, the authors postulate.

“Preterm births account for more than 10% of all births in the United States, and the majority of very preterm infants experience neurological issues later in life,” said Katherine Ottolini, MD, attending neonatologist in the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National Hospital and presenting author. “Early lipid intake is critical for preterm brain development, and our findings suggest that reformulated intravenous lipid products have the potential to enhance neurodevelopment in this particularly vulnerable population.”

Study authors recommend ongoing research on reformulated intravenous lipid emulsions be conducted to assess long-term neurodevelopmental effects.

# # #

EDITOR:

Dr. Katherine Ottolini will present “Type of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Affects Very Preterm Brain Development” on Saturday, May 4 from 8:45-9:00 AM E.T.

Reporters interested in an interview with Dr. Ottolini should contact Amber Fraley at amber.fraley@pasmeeting.org.

The PAS Meeting connects thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pas-meeting.org.

About the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting

Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting connects thousands of leading pediatric researchers, clinicians, and medical educators worldwide united by a common mission: Connecting the global academic pediatric community to advance scientific discovery and promote innovation in child and adolescent health. The PAS Meeting is produced through the partnership of four leading pediatric associations; the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Academic Pediatric Association (APA), the American Pediatric Society (APS), and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR). For more information, please visit www.pas-meeting.org. Follow us on X @PASMeeting and like us on Facebook PASMeeting.

Abstract: Type of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Affects Very Preterm Brain Development

Presenting Author: Katherine M. Ottolini, MD

Organization

Children’s National Hospital and the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Topic

Neonatal Fetal Nutrition & Metabolism

Background

Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) are an essential component of early preterm nutritional support. Multicomponent lipid emulsions (MLE) containing soybean, olive, coconut, and fish oil are being increasingly utilized over traditional soybean-only lipid emulsions (SLE); MLE contains higher ω-3 fatty acid and vitamin E levels with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The impact of MLE compared to ILE on preterm brain development has not been previously studied using multi-modal quantitative brain magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques.

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare early brain growth and metabolism in very preterm infants receiving MLE versus SLE using qMRI and MRS at term equivalent age (TEA).

Design/Methods

We prospectively enrolled human milk-fed infants born at < 1500g and < 32 weeks gestational age (GA) admitted to our NICU within the first week of life; those with IVH (>Gr2) and parenchymal brain injury were excluded. Preterm infants born prior to 2019 received SLE (Intralipid); those born after 2019 received MLE (SMOFLipid). 3-D volumetric MRI and MRS (cerebellum, TE=35ms, TR=2000ms) were performed at TEA (Fig 1). We used ANCOVA to evaluate differences in TEA brain volumes and cerebellar metabolite levels based on ILE type, controlling for birth GA, age at MRI, and number of TPN days.

Results

Nutritional and MRI data were acquired for 80 preterm infants; on average infants who received MLE underwent TEA MRI later than SLE (40.6+/-1.6 vs. 39.3+/-2.1 weeks, p < 0.01), with no other significant differences in baseline patient characteristics (Table 1A). Infants receiving SLE demonstrated larger deep gray matter and amygdala-hippocampal volumes, whereas those receiving MLE demonstrated larger brainstem volumes (Table 1B). Cerebellar MRS revealed significantly higher creatine, lactate, inositol, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate levels in infants who received SLE compared to MLE (Table 1C).

Conclusion(s)

Preterm infants receiving MLE demonstrated distinct patterns of regional brain growth and cerebellar metabolism at TEA compared to SLE. Although infants receiving SLE demonstrated larger deep gray matter and amygdala-hippocampus volumes, they also exhibited increased lactate, a metabolite associated with brain injury, and inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters that could potentially signify disruptions in metabolic development. Further investigation is necessary and warranted to elucidate the effects of different types of ILEs on preterm brain development and assess the implications for long-term neurodevelopment.

Tables and Images

PatientCharacgeristicslTable.jpg

Figure1.jpg

END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

PAS 2024: Nemours Children’s Health researchers to present on youth mental health, vaccination, autism and respiratory illness

2024-05-03

WILMINGTON, Del. (May 1, 2024) – Researchers from Nemours Children’s Health will present findings from a range of studies at the 2024 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting, May 2-6 in Toronto. Key presentations will address pediatric mental health, vaccination, autism diagnosis, social determinants of cardiovascular health and treatment of bronchiolitis—one of the most common respiratory illnesses in children that requires hospitalization. “Nemours researchers go well beyond medicine every day to improve children’s health and well-being by connecting to clinical ...

Lake tsunamis pose significant threat under warming climate

2024-05-03

The names might not be familiar—Cowee Creek, Brabazon Range, Upper Pederson Lagoon—but they mark the sites of recent lake tsunamis, a phenomenon that is increasingly common in Alaska, British Columbia and other regions with mountain glaciers. Triggered by landslides into small bodies of water, most of these tsunamis have occurred in remote locations so far, but geologist Bretwood Higman of Ground Truth Alaska said it may just be a matter of time before a tsunami swamps a more populated ...

New Nevada experiments will improve monitoring of nuclear explosions

2024-05-03

On an October morning in 2023, a chemical explosion detonated in a tunnel under the Nevada desert was the launch of the next set of experiments by the National Nuclear Security Administration, with the goal to improve detection of low-yield nuclear explosions around the world. Physics Experiment 1-A (PE1-A) is the first in a series of non-nuclear experiments that will compare computer simulations with high-resolution seismic, tracer gas, acoustic and electromagnetic data gleaned from underground explosions and atmospheric experiments, said Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researcher Stephen Myers ...

New study challenges one-size-fits-all approach to vitamin D supplementation guidelines

2024-05-03

New study challenges one-size-fits-all approach to vitamin D supplementation guidelines Researchers believe their findings have significant implications for the development of tailored recommendations for vitamin D supplementation A new study from Trinity College Dublin scientists, sheds light on the complexities of achieving optimal vitamin D status across diverse populations. Despite substantial research on the determinants of vitamin D, levels of vitamin D deficiency remain high. The study was recently published in the journal Clinical Nutrition [Thursday, 2nd May 2024]. Dr Margaret ...

MBL Director Nipam Patel elected to National Academy of Sciences

2024-05-03

WOODS HOLE, Mass. -- Nipam Patel, director of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and a professor at the University of Chicago, was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) this week in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the Academy is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Patel will be formally inducted at the Academy’s Annual Meeting in 2025. Patel is a leading scholar in modern developmental ...

The future of digital agriculture

2024-05-03

When the Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) launched in 2018, they were looking forward to the future. Like many other areas of commerce and big tech, agriculture is a rapidly changing industry. Advancements in technology have transformed farming. In the five-plus years since its launch, CDA has risen to meet those needs by creating adaptable, interdisciplinary curriculums, research programs, industry partnerships and training opportunities for scientists and students. This year, CDA is celebrating its successes and more at the annual ...

Lahar detection system upgraded for mount rainier

2024-05-03

In the shadow of Washington State’s Mount Rainier, about 90,000 people live in the path of a potential large lahar—a destructive, fluid and fast-moving debris flow associated with volcanic slopes. At the Seismological Society of America (SSA)’s 2024 Annual Meeting, U.S. Geological Survey volcano seismologist Seth Moran described how he and his colleagues have expanded and made upgrades to a detection system that would inform alerts to those living near the Seattle-area volcano in the event of the next lahar. Volcanic eruptions usually cause lahars by rapidly melting ...

NCSA's Bill Gropp elected to AAAS Council

2024-05-03

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society. Its mission is to “Advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all.” The AAAS publishes a number of prestigious scientific journals through their Science family of titles. The organization recently held elections for its leadership positions. This year, NCSA’s director, Bill Gropp, was elected as Council Member of the Section on Information, Computing, and Communication. Gropp began his term on March 15 and will continue to serve as Council Member for the remainder ...

George Mason University receives over $1.1 million to revolutionize Lyme disease testing

2024-05-02

George Mason University researchers have received a $1,176,645 grant in federal funding from the U.S. Department of the Army to revolutionize Lyme disease detection and diagnosis with urine testing. The College of Science and College of Public Health aim to harness the many advantages of urine testing over other methods and increase mainstream adoption. “We have developed a urine test for Lyme disease that detects the bacteria (Borrelia species) that causes Lyme disease, making it a direct test to confirm ...

NASA selects BAE systems to develop air quality instrument for NOAA

2024-05-02

NASA, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has selected BAE Systems (formerly known as Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation) of Boulder, Colorado, to develop an instrument to monitor air quality and provide information about the impact of air pollutants on Earth for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program. This cost-plus-award-fee contract is valued at approximately $365 million. It includes the development of one ...

Study: Multicomponent intravenous lipid emulsion improves brain development in preterm infants

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: