Omegaven

Omegaven is a fatty acid emulsion produced by Fresenius Kabi. It is used for total parenteral nutrition (feeding directly into a venous catheter), e.g. in short bowel syndrome. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

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It has gained popularity in children in preference to the more commonly used Intralipid after case reports that it reduced the risk of liver damage.^[1]

A recent study indicated that the use of Omegaven may be an appropriate intervention strategy for newborns with a very low birth weight, gastrochisis, and jejunal atresia.^[2]

It is currently undergoing a clinical trial at National Taiwan University Hospital.^[3]

Although the use of Omegaven in children in the United States is experimental, the use of it in adults in Europe is less controversial.^[4] In European studies, Omegaven has been associated with a reduction in psoriasis, when contrasted to administration of omega-6 fatty acid Lipoven.^[5] Omegaven has also been associated with reduced mortality and antibiotic use during hospital stays.^[6]

References

1. ^ Gura KM, Duggan CP, Collier SB, et al (2006). "Reversal of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease in two infants with short bowel syndrome using parenteral fish oil: implications for future management". Pediatrics 118 (1): e197-201. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-2662. PMID 16818533.
2. ^ Christensen RD, Henry E, Wiedmeier SE, Burnett J, Lambert DK (2007). "Identifying patients, on the first day of life, at high-risk of developing parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease". Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association 27 (5): 284-90. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211686. PMID 17344923.
3. ^ Clinical trial NCT00172198
4. ^ A Doctor's Push For Drug Pits Him Against Its Maker at Wall Street Journal
5. ^ Mayser P, Grimm H, Grimminger F (2002). "n-3 fatty acids in psoriasis". Br. J. Nutr. 87 Suppl 1: S77-82. PMID 11895157.
6. ^ Heller AR, Rössler S, Litz RJ, et al (2006). "Omega-3 fatty acids improve the diagnosis-related clinical outcome". Crit. Care Med. 34 (4): 972-9. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000206309.83570.45. PMID 16484909.