Impact of Intravenous Omega-3-Enriched Lipid Emulsion on Liver Enzyme and Triglyceride Serum Levels of Children Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of omega-3-enriched lipid emulsion (LE) on liver enzyme (aspartate transaminase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) and triglyceride (TG) levels of children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: This experimental randomized controlled group pretest-posttest design study included 14 children who underwent gastrointestinal surgery due to duodenal atresia, jejunal atresia, esophageal atresia, and need for parenteral nutrition for a minimum of 3 days at RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya between August 2018 and January 2019. These children were divided into two groups, those who received standard intravenous LE (medium-chain triglyceride [MCT]/long-chain triglyceride [LCT]) and those who received intravenous omega-3-enriched LE. Differences in AST, ALT, and TG levels were measured before surgery and 3 days after the administration of parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: Liver enzyme and TG levels in each group did not differ significantly before versus 3 days after surgery. However, TG levels were significantly lower in the omega-3-enriched intravenous LE group (p=0.041) at 3 days after surgery, and statistically significant difference in changes in TG levels was noted at 3 days after surgery between MCT/LCT intravenous LE group and the omega-3-enriched intravenous LE group (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: The intravenous omega-3-enriched LE had a better TG-lowering effect than the MCT/LCT intravenous LE in children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.