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.

Additional recommended knowledge

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

How to quickly check pipettes?

Recognize and detect the effects of electrostatic charges on your balance

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.