Omegaven Protocol:Intermediate Size Patient Population

Children requiring prolonged courses of PN are at risk for developing PN associated liver disease. We hypothesize that although omega-6 fatty acid emulsions prevent fatty acid deficiency, they are not cleared in a manner similar to enteral chylomicrons and therefore accumulate in the liver and resulting in steatotic liver injury. We further hypothesize that a fat emulsion comprised of omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., fish oil) such as Omegaven® would be beneficial in the management of steatotic liver injury by its inhibition of de novo lipogenesis, the reduction of arachidonic acid-derived inflammatory mediators, prevention of essential fatty acid deficiency through the presence of small amounts of arachidonic acid, and improved clearance of lipids from the serum.