Infants and children requiring prolonged parenteral nutrition may receive an intravenous fat in the form of soybean oil, fish oil, or composite lipid emulsion). Depending on patient characteristics, including age, nutritional status, and comorbidities, certain IV lipid emulsions may be preferrable to others.   

Dosing strategies and IV lipid selection rationale are complicated and require an understanding of components of the lipid emulsion and standards for appropriate use – and complications can occur due to gaps in knowledge, skills, and PN prescribing practices.   Many patients on chronic PN warrant close monitoring of their nutritional status and liver health.  

Update on Alternative Lipids will examine the different IV lipid emulsions used, describe the rational for IV lipid emulsion selection, help explain essential fatty acids and deficiencies and offer future direction and application.